I live in Scotland. I pay my own bills. I grocery shop. I freeze in winter if I’m silly about the heating. So this isn’t theory. It’s my day-to-day.
I’ve detailed an even deeper dive into the pounds and pennies in this complete budget guide.
Here’s the thing: Scotland can feel pricey in the cities, but it also gives you little wins—free prescriptions, parks, and good buses—that help more than you’d think.
Quick note on timing: these are my real costs from 2023–2024, with a few recent updates from this year. Prices move, but the shape of things stays the same. If you’d like a broader economic snapshot, Consumer Scotland’s latest Consumer Outlook 2024-2025 puts the current numbers in national context.
Why I Came, What I Pay
I moved to Leith (Edinburgh) for work in 2023. If you're planning a relocation yourself, you might like my candid write-up on what I got right and wrong when I first moved to Scotland. I rented a two-bed flat because I work from home a lot. My monthly costs looked like this:
- Rent: £1,250 for a two-bed in Leith (tenement, third floor)
- Council tax: Band C, about £150 a month (water/sewerage included). When I lived alone, I got 25% off. When my partner moved in, the bill went back up.
- Energy: £120–£180 a month, more in winter (gas + electric)
- Broadband: £30 a month for 150 Mbps
- Mobile: £12 a month SIM-only (20 GB)
- TV Licence: about £170 a year
For a more interactive breakdown that updates with local price changes, I often check the cost-of-living calculator over at Can You Experience. You can also skim this concise guide to the cost of living in Scotland to see how my numbers stack up against wider averages.
When I worked in Glasgow for a month, I sublet a one-bed in Finnieston for £1,050. It felt cheaper day to day. Pints were a pound or two lower. Buses were cheaper too. Wild how that adds up.
Rent: Same Island, Different Planet
Edinburgh stings the most. Glasgow is kinder. Smaller cities are gentler still.
- Edinburgh: My friends pay £1,100–£1,400 for a one-bed. A room in a shared flat is often £650–£850, plus bills.
- Glasgow: One-bed £900–£1,200. Rooms £550–£750.
- Aberdeen/Dundee: You can still find a one-bed for £700–£900 if you look.
- Inverness and the Highlands: Rent can be tight and high because there’s just less stock.
A tip I learned fast: view fast, bring documents, and ask about the boiler. An old boiler eats cash. Ask me how I know.
Some pals even joked that if rent climbs any higher they'll need a “sponsor.” Jokes aside, a handful of young professionals really do look at the sugar-dating scene as a way to soften the blow of Edinburgh prices. If the concept is new to you, check out this straightforward primer on how to find a sugar baby, which walks you through the ground rules, safety considerations, and the financial realities so you can decide whether it's a fit or a firm no.
Curiously, if you want to see how the professional companionship market plays out across the Atlantic—a neat way to gauge how location affects pricing and expectations—the listings for Kearny escorts provide clear rates and client feedback so you can benchmark Scotland’s dating-economy costs against those in a mid-sized American city.
Bills That Sneak Up on You
- Council tax in Scotland includes water and sewerage. That surprised me, but it makes life simpler.
- Energy swings hard in winter. In January, when I set the heat to 21°C (rookie move), our bill hit £180. Now we keep it at 18–19°C, wear jumpers, and run the heat in bursts. That took it down to about £130.
- If you’re solo, apply for the single person discount (25%). It’s worth the five minutes.
- A dehumidifier saved me money on heating and saved my windows from mildew. Mine costs about 20p–30p per hour to run, and I only run it after showers or on damp days.
Food: My Basket, Not Just A List
I shop at Aldi or Lidl for a big weekly run, then top up at Tesco or a wee corner shop.
- Milk (2L): £1.50–£2
- Eggs (6): £1.50–£2
- Bread: £1.20–£1.60
- Chicken breast (1 kg): £6–£8
- Apples (1 kg): ~£2
- Ground coffee (200 g): £3–£6
- Tesco meal deal: about £3.40 with a card
- Coffee out: £3–£4.20
- Pint: £4–£6 in Glasgow, £5–£7 in Edinburgh
- Fish and chips: £9–£12
I cook big pots on Sunday. Lentil soup (they call it “lentil” here like it’s a friend). Chicken tray bakes. Pasta with tinned tomatoes and chilli. Boring? Maybe. But it keeps my food spend near £40–£55 a week for two people, not counting treats.
Getting Around: Bus, Train, Car, Feet
- Buses: In Edinburgh, a single is around £2. A day ticket is a little over £5. A monthly pass sits around £60–£70. Glasgow is similar, and sometimes cheaper.
- Trains: ScotRail off-peak from Edinburgh to Glasgow is often £14–£17 return with a railcard. Peak is more. A 26–30 or Two Together Railcard pays for itself fast.
- Car: Petrol is often £1.45–£1.65 per litre. Parking in the city can be brutal. I rent a car when I need a Highland fix. City Car Club or a weekend hire works fine.
- Bike: Edinburgh has hills that sneak up on you, but the Leith paths are lovely. A second-hand bike for £150 did me proud.
You know what? Walking saves me more than any budgeting app ever did. Plus, I find new coffee spots. I’ve even chronicled some favourite long-distance rambles in this step-by-step walking journal. That’s not nothing.
Kids and Care (If You’ve Got Wee Ones)
My sister lives near Stirling with her wee boy. Real numbers from her:
- Nursery: 3–4-year-olds get funded hours (1,140 per year). She still pays for wraparound time. A full-time private place can be £900–£1,300 a month, but funding cuts that way down.
- School: State schools are free. She spends on uniforms and after-school clubs instead.
- Soft play and swim: £4–£7 a session. It adds up, but it’s cheaper than many English cities.
Health Stuff: The Good and the Annoying
- GP visits: Free. Honestly, that still feels huge.
- Prescriptions: Free in Scotland, which is great for long-term meds.
- Dentists: Hard to find on the NHS in some areas. I ended up paying private for a check-up (£60) and a filling (£120). Your costs may vary, but plan for it.
Internet, TV, and That Sort of Thing
I pay £30 a month for 150 Mbps with a big-name provider. Installation was free during a promo. SIM-only for my phone is £12 a month with plenty of data. If you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you’ll need the TV Licence (about £170 a year). If not, you can skip it.
Streaming stacks up fast if you’re careless. We rotate: one month Netflix, next month Disney, then nothing while we watch old DVDs like it’s 2008.
Fun Money: Nights Out, Gyms, Weekend Joy
- Cinema: £8–£15 depending on the place and time.
- Gym: £20–£40 a month. Council gyms are often cheaper off-peak.
- Climbing wall: £10–£14 a session.
- Museums: Loads are free. National Museum in Edinburgh? A gem on a rainy day.
- Nature: Also free. Arthur’s Seat at sunrise is worth any rent pain, I swear.
A Month in Numbers (My Real Spend, Winter)
- Housing (rent + council tax): £1,400
- Energy: £150
- Internet + mobile: £42
- Groceries: £220
- Transport (bus + one train trip): £85
- Fun + eating out: £120