Cost of Living in Aberdeen - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $2,265 per month with rent, or $1,202 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $3,511 per month with rent, or $1,964 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $4,757 per month with rent, or $2,726 without housing.

Overall, Aberdeen is about 69% above the global median. Within Europe, costs are 25% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$21.89 £16.17

$13.68 £10.11

$34.19 £25.26

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.6 £59.6

$60.5 £44.68

$121 £89.4

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.16 £7.51

$8.24 £6.09

$10.99 £8.12

Cappuccino

$4.59 £3.39

$4.05 £2.99

$5.38 £3.98

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.08 £1.54

$1.63 £1.20

$3.01 £2.22

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 £1.17

$1.38 £1.02

$2.77 £2.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.12 £4.52

$4.63 £3.42

$8.16 £6.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.90 £5.10

$5.52 £4.08

$8.28 £6.12

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 £1.32

$1.12 £0.83

$2.52 £1.86

White Bread (500g)

$1.61 £1.19

$1.07 £0.79

$2.30 £1.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.84 £1.36

$1.10 £0.82

$2.76 £2.04

Eggs

$4.07 £3.01

$2.25 £1.66

$4.53 £3.35

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.55 £6.32

$2.66 £1.97

$14.65 £10.83

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.59 £8.56

$6.06 £4.47

$15.48 £11.44

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.91 £10.27

$6.88 £5.08

$27.52 £20.33

Apples (1kg)

$3.18 £2.35

$1.67 £1.24

$4.19 £3.10

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 £1.26

$1.07 £0.79

$4.43 £3.27

Oranges (1kg)

$2.75 £2.03

$1.86 £1.37

$9.29 £6.87

Tomato (1kg)

$4.06 £3.00

$2.14 £1.58

$5.94 £4.39

Potato (1kg)

$1.19 £0.88

$0.55 £0.40

$1.90 £1.40

Onion (1kg)

$1.38 £1.02

$1.03 £0.76

$2.06 £1.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.20 £0.89

$0.97 £0.72

$1.39 £1.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 £1.05

$1.10 £0.81

$1.82 £1.34

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.30 £14.26

$18.61 £13.75

$20.66 £15.26

Wine (Bottle)

$11.35 £8.38

$8.18 £6.04

$13.64 £10.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.16 £1.60

$1.74 £1.28

$2.41 £1.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 £1.76

$1.74 £1.29

$2.79 £2.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$5.53 £4.09

$2.70 £2.00

$7.97 £5.88

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$109 £80.7

$89.0 £65.8

$158 £117

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.75 £3.51

$4.07 £3.01

$6.78 £5.01

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.75 £1.29

$1.55 £1.14

$1.75 £1.29

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.17 £25.99

$33.11 £24.46

$37.25 £27.52

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.89 £1.39

$1.82 £1.34

$1.90 £1.40

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$38.2K £28.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$40.8K £30.1K

$40.3K £29.7K

$40.9K £30.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$413 £305

$277 £205

$623 £460

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$24.38 £18.01

$13.68 £10.11

$68.4 £50.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.36 £34.25

$33.17 £24.51

$71.9 £53.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.3 £45.99

$33.46 £24.72

$93.7 £69.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.82 £7.99

$8.28 £6.12

$13.81 £10.21

Cinema Ticket

$8.65 £6.39

$7.97 £5.89

$17.30 £12.78

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,841 £1,360

$1,381 £1,020

$2,138 £1,579

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.6K £11.5K

$9,687 £7,157

$20.8K £15.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$82.3 £60.8

$46.95 £34.69

$107 £79.3

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.37 £29.83

$26.77 £19.77

$53.5 £39.55

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.6 £69.9

$40.63 £30.01

$108 £80.0

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 £87.7

$53.6 £39.56

$161 £119

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$859 £635

$636 £470

$1,272 £940

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$772 £570

$616 £455

$1,300 £961

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 £1,199

$1,346 £994

$1,750 £1,293

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,566 £1,157

$1,337 £988

$2,005 £1,482

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,350 £1,736

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,546 £2,619

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,611 £2,668

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.2

5.9

7.7

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: May 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $859, dropping to $772 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 24% of the average salary ($3,611) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $3,611 – comfortably above monthly costs of $2,265. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $3,398.

Groceries cost around $307 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $81.0 – broadly in line with the European average.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $109 – above the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Public transport monthly pass is more expensive than 97% of cities in Europe

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 92% of cities in Europe

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 91% of cities in Europe

Aberdeen Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Aberdeen - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, you’ll find a solid value for the right lifestyle. Cost of Living in Aberdeen varies by neighborhood but generally sits mid-range versus UK capitals and other coastal hubs. Expect affordable options outside the center, a walkable core, reliable services, and a growing number of coworking spaces. Dining ranges from casual pubs to quality seafood spots, and markets can help stretch a budget. Seasonal demand can shift prices, but longer stays often unlock better rental terms. Tip: map your daily routes – work, groceries, and leisure – to gauge where value aligns with how you live.

Your housing search will reveal granite-era charm in the city center and modern flats in the West End. To balance cost with location, broaden beyond the very center to areas like Torry or the outskirts; online portals and local letting agents help you compare options. Aberdeen living cost tends to shift with proximity to the coast and institutions. For food, you’ll find fresh seafood, farmers markets, and a mix of pubs and international options. Transport is practical: reliable buses and good rail links; cycling is feasible in many seasons. Tip: set a weekly errand route to save time and money.

A simple budgeting framework helps you compare value across seasons. Start with housing and utilities as fixed anchors, then bound groceries, transport, and discretionary spend by a monthly cap. In Aberdeen, heating needs and wind-driven weather make energy planning worth pre-season checks, but public transit and walkable centers help curb transport costs. For neighborhood fit, City Centre suits walkers and nightlife; West End offers quieter streets and proximity to universities; coastal and harbour areas give a scenic work-life balance. Tip: build a rotating season plan – winter focus on warmth and efficiency, summer on outdoor markets and flexible workspaces.

A single person in Aberdeen typically spends $2,265 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $1,202. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.

For 2026, a single person in Aberdeen should plan on about $2,265 per month with rent, or $1,202 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

You'll want at least $3,398 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Aberdeen. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.

In Aberdeen's center, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $859 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $772. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.

Grocery spending in Aberdeen lands around $307 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.

Getting around Aberdeen by public transport costs about $109 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.

$1,000 is below the $2,265 average in Aberdeen, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.

Digital nomads flock to Aberdeen for good reason: fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife. Monthly costs land around $2,265 depending on your setup – strong value for the connectivity and quality of life you get. Coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cafés round out the appeal.