Cost of Living in Isle of Islay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,066 (excluding rent), and $2,303 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,429 (excluding rent), and $4,733 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.1 £15.22

$17.35 £13.14

$40.21 £30.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$93.5 £70.8

$66.8 £50.6

$114 £85.9

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.3 £7.8

$8.24 £6.24

$10.99 £8.32

Cappuccino

$4.41 £3.34

$2.7 £2.04

$6.73 £5.1

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

$2.24 £1.7

$1.35 £1.02

$3.1 £2.34

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 £1.03

$0.9 £0.68

$2.77 £2.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.72 £4.33

$4.98 £3.77

$6.98 £5.28

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.6 £4.24

$4.03 £3.05

$6.31 £4.78

Milk (1 liter)

$2.07 £1.57

$1.34 £1.01

$2.68 £2.03

White Bread (500g)

$1.56 £1.18

$1.39 £1.05

$2.45 £1.85

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.51 £1.9

$0.6 £0.46

$5.38 £4.07

Eggs

$4.79 £3.62

$1.92 £1.46

$8.07 £6.11

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.23 £6.23

$2.71 £2.05

$14.89 £11.28

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.76 £7.39

$3.39 £2.56

$11.91 £9.02

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.51 £11.74

$10.8 £8.17

$20.24 £15.32

Apples (1kg)

$3.12 £2.37

$1.61 £1.22

$4.02 £3.04

Banana (1kg)

$2.41 £1.83

$1.38 £1.05

$2.77 £2.1

Oranges (1kg)

$2.63 £1.99

$2.03 £1.54

$4.06 £3.07

Tomato (1kg)

$4.46 £3.38

$1.33 £1.01

$9.32 £7.06

Potato (1kg)

$2.21 £1.67

$0.84 £0.64

$2.79 £2.11

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 £1.45

$0.83 £0.62

$2.74 £2.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.21 £0.92

$0.8 £0.6

$1.32 £1

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 £1.6

$1.35 £1.02

$2.98 £2.25

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.71 £14.17

$20.05 £15.18

Wine (Bottle)

$11.92 £9.02

$9.27 £7.02

$19.87 £15.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.29 £2.49

$2.45 £1.86

$5.31 £4.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.89 £2.19

$2 £1.51

$5.06 £3.83

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.47 £2.63

$2.8 £2.12

$4.2 £3.18

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$90.2 £68.3

$60.1 £45.51

$104 £78.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.74 £3.59

$3.92 £2.97

$5.4 £4.09

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.51 £1.15

$1.28 £0.97

$1.83 £1.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.69 £17.18

$20.02 £15.15

$32.03 £24.25

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 £1.42

$1.81 £1.37

$1.89 £1.43

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

$38.2K £28.9K

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

$47.8K £36.2K

$42.1K £31.9K

$47.8K £36.2K

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

$235 £178

$172 £130

$348 £263

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

$14.06 £10.64

$10.65 £8.07

$16.64 £12.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$48.09 £36.4

$37.36 £28.28

$74.7 £56.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.23 £34.24

$26.8 £20.29

$60.3 £45.66

Cinema Ticket

$12.7 £9.61

$9.36 £7.08

$20.05 £15.18

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

$1,611 £1,220

$1,362 £1,031

$1,974 £1,495

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.2K £12.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$99.3 £75.2

$69.3 £52.5

$125 £94.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.4 £49.53

$20.31 £15.37

$108 £82

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$137 £104

$41.07 £31.09

$164 £124

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 £91.1

$61.1 £46.22

$190 £144

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,242 £940

$966 £731

$1,242 £940

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,007 £762

$751 £568

$1,058 £801

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,020 £1,529

$1,569 £1,188

$2,155 £1,631

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,714 £1,297

$1,303 £986

$1,920 £1,453

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,893 £4,461

$2,611 £1,976

$5,893 £4,461

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.9

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

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Cost of Living in Isle of Islay - Frequently Asked Questions

Islay offers a mix of affordability and constraints typical of a rural Scottish island. You'll find groceries and everyday goods aligning with regional UK averages, while some imported items are pricier due to transport. Housing tends to be the main cost driver: longer lets or sturdy rural homes are available, but supply can be limited outside peak season. Utilities and internet can be reasonable, but you'll want a robust router and potential backup power in winter winds. Overall, Cost of Living in Isle of Islay, United Kingdom tends to reward longer stays and careful budgeting, especially around travel costs and seasonal demand. Tip: Build a flexible plan that prioritizes your essential needs and explores local alternatives.

On Islay, practical daily life hinges on a slower pace and smart planning. Housing is clustered in Bowmore, Port Ellen, and nearby villages, with cottages and small flats that fill quickly in season. Start your search early, use local agents, and book viewings by appointment. For meals, opt for local shops, pubs, and seasonal seafood; many residents cook at home to control costs. Transport is car-centric; a reliable vehicle helps reach distilleries and beaches, and occasional bus routes cover core routes. For coworking, look for quiet corners in cafes or small community spaces when available. Isle of Islay, United Kingdom living cost shifts with ferry timing and tourism. Tip: Scout listings weekly and stay flexible on move-in dates to catch seasonal deals.

Quality of life on Islay blends outdoor access with a compact community feel. If you plan long enough, you can strike a balance between affordable local produce and occasional splurges on a distillery tour or seafood feast. A simple budgeting framework helps: separate fixed costs (rent, internet) from flexible ones (eating out, transport to ferries); track seasonal shifts in ferry fares and energy needs. Neighborhood fit tends to favor Bowmore, Port Ellen, or smaller clusters depending on your work and social calendar. Embrace the slower pace, bring a reliable plan B for wind-related outages, and connect with local clubs or cowork spaces for social and work balance. Tip: Pack for variable weather and build a local network to tap into shared resources.