😐A single person spends $2,505 per month in Glasgow vs $2,197 in Sheffield, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,735 per month in Glasgow vs $3,238 in Sheffield, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,966 per month in Glasgow vs $4,278 in Sheffield, rent included.
😐Glasgow costs about 14% more than Sheffield, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Glasgow and Sheffield sit above the global median – Glasgow by 87%, Sheffield by 64%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.19£15.04
$17.69£13.17
14.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.0£73.0
$76.6£57.0
28.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.35£6.97
$11.06£8.23
-15.46%
Cappuccino
$4.76£3.54
$4.57£3.40
4.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18£1.63
$2.43£1.81
-10.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43£1.07
$1.85£1.38
-22.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.68£4.97
$5.57£4.15
19.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.72£5.00
$5.27£3.93
27.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.77£1.32
$1.53£1.14
15.69%
White Bread(500g)
$1.64£1.22
$1.48£1.10
10.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.64£1.97
$2.20£1.64
20.00%
Eggs
$3.85£2.87
$3.77£2.81
2.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.17£7.58
$9.64£7.18
5.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.21£6.86
$8.64£6.43
6.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.83£10.30
$11.89£8.85
16.32%
Apples(1kg)
$3.26£2.43
$3.29£2.45
-0.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79£1.33
$1.45£1.08
23.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.37£2.51
$2.63£1.96
28.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.69£2.75
$3.01£2.24
22.59%
Potato(1kg)
$1.65£1.23
$1.83£1.37
-9.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91£1.42
$1.34£1.00
42.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22£0.91
$1.03£0.77
18.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.59£1.18
$1.30£0.97
22.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$21.49£16.00
$19.38£14.44
10.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.31£8.42
$11.31£8.42
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.01£2.24
$2.82£2.10
6.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37£2.51
$3.26£2.43
3.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.04£3.01
$3.37£2.51
19.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$95.0£70.8
$97.1£72.3
-2.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.28£3.93
$5.30£3.95
-0.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.27£1.69
$1.28£0.96
77.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$27.65£20.59
$20.68£15.40
33.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.94£1.44
$1.94£1.45
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.8K£28.9K
$39.0K£29.0K
-0.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.0K£28.3K
$39.2K£29.2K
-3.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$378£281
$316£235
19.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.76£13.23
$18.37£13.68
-3.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.41£30.84
$43.00£32.03
-3.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.3£38.23
$45.13£33.61
13.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.32£14.39
$8.33£6.20
131.93%
Cinema Ticket
$17.62£13.12
$11.49£8.55
53.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,150£856
$1,251£932
-8.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.0K£13.4K
$6,683£4,977
169.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$125£93.4
$76.6£57.1
63.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.6£37.71
$38.65£28.79
31.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106£78.9
$85.4£63.6
24.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107£79.4
$82.3£61.3
29.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,393£1,038
$1,126£839
23.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,011£753
$919£685
9.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,716£2,023
$1,849£1,377
46.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,884£1,403
$1,552£1,156
21.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,173£3,108
$5,733£4,270
-27.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,091£2,302
$2,752£2,050
12.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Glasgow
Sheffield
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,453£2,571
$3,262£2,429
5.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.32
5.3
0.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Glasgow: June 2, 2026
Last update for Sheffield: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,393 in Glasgow versus $1,126 in Sheffield. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 6% higher in Glasgow, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Glasgow versus $77.0 in Sheffield. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $314 vs $283 – making Sheffield the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Glasgow vs Sheffield: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Glasgow and Sheffield compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,505 in Glasgow, $2,197 in Sheffield – roughly 14% apart. Glasgow costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Glasgow compared to Sheffield?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,757 per month in Glasgow and $3,296 in Sheffield. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Glasgow and Sheffield?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sheffield, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Glasgow and Sheffield?
Kindergarten costs $1,150 per month in Glasgow and $1,251 in Sheffield. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 11% more in Glasgow, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Sheffield, where all-in costs run around $2,197, than in Glasgow at $2,505. In Sheffield it covers expenses comfortably, while in Glasgow it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Glasgow and Sheffield?
It depends on your priorities. Glasgow has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,197 in Sheffield to $2,505 in Glasgow. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Glasgow or Sheffield safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Glasgow and Sheffield?
If budget matters most, go with Sheffield. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Glasgow makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.