The Verdict
Although Edinburgh pays £4000 more on average, higher rent and living costs mean you actually have less disposable income in Edinburgh (£1193/month vs £1303/month after rent).
See salary breakdowns: Edinburgh · Glasgow
Cost of Living: Edinburgh vs Glasgow
The cost of living differences between Edinburgh and Glasgow are significant. Average rent for a one-bedroom flat is approximately £900/month in Edinburgh versus £700/month in Glasgow — meaning Edinburgh is £200/month more expensive for renters. Average house prices are approximately £290,000 in Edinburgh versus £175,000 in Glasgow. For property buying, see mortgage affordability calculator.
Salary Comparison
The median salary in Edinburgh is approximately £32,500 compared to £30,000 in Glasgow. Edinburgh salaries are typically £2,500 higher, but this must be weighed against the higher cost of living. After accounting for rent differences, the salary advantage translates to approximately £8/month more disposable income in Edinburgh.
Key Industries
Edinburgh is strong in financial services, technology, tourism, government. Glasgow excels in engineering, financial services, healthcare, creative. Your career sector may determine which city offers better opportunities regardless of headline salary figures. See Edinburgh salary guide and Glasgow salary guide for more detail.
Calculate your take home in either city
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