Cost of Living in Kirkwall - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,105 (excluding rent), and $2,308 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,680 (excluding rent), and $4,561 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.34 £19.18

$16.44 £12.44

$34.25 £25.93

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$82.6 £62.5

$64.7 £48.99

$138 £104

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.01 £7.57

$8.45 £6.4

$12.04 £9.11

Cappuccino

$4.02 £3.05

$3.99 £3.02

$4.06 £3.08

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

$2.27 £1.72

$1.45 £1.1

$4 £3.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 £1.25

$1.37 £1.04

$2.75 £2.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.61 £4.24

$5.06 £3.83

$6.15 £4.66

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.39 £4.83

$4 £3.03

$8.79 £6.65

Milk (1 liter)

$1.58 £1.2

$0.93 £0.71

$2.2 £1.67

White Bread (500g)

$1.58 £1.19

$0.98 £0.74

$2.65 £2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.18 £1.65

$1.32 £1

$3.96 £3

Eggs

$3.79 £2.87

$2.38 £1.8

$5.28 £3.99

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.83 £7.44

$4.35 £3.29

$16.55 £12.53

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.97 £6.79

$5.52 £4.18

$12.19 £9.23

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.08 £10.66

$7.48 £5.66

$21.77 £16.48

Apples (1kg)

$3.15 £2.38

$1.38 £1.04

$5.29 £4

Banana (1kg)

$1.6 £1.21

$1.08 £0.82

$2.83 £2.14

Oranges (1kg)

$2.78 £2.11

$1.33 £1

$3.98 £3.01

Tomato (1kg)

$3.43 £2.59

$1.59 £1.2

$5.88 £4.45

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 £1.24

$0.68 £0.52

$2.69 £2.04

Onion (1kg)

$1.47 £1.11

$1.06 £0.8

$2.65 £2.01

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 £0.8

$0.66 £0.5

$1.57 £1.19

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.5 £1.14

$0.69 £0.52

$2.75 £2.08

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.18 £14.52

$16.78 £12.7

$23.3 £17.63

Wine (Bottle)

$10.51 £7.95

$7.65 £5.79

$15.76 £11.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.68 £2.03

$1.59 £1.2

$3.97 £3.01

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 £2.42

$1.64 £1.24

$5.47 £4.14

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.29 £2.49

$2.66 £2.01

$3.99 £3.02

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.1 £66.7

$58.7 £44.45

$101 £76.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.28 £4

$3.83 £2.9

$6.6 £5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.55 £1.17

$1.31 £0.99

$1.87 £1.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.89 £17.33

$20.2 £15.29

$32.31 £24.46

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.9 £1.44

$1.83 £1.38

$2.08 £1.58

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

$37.9K £28.7K

$37.5K £28.4K

$37.9K £28.7K

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

$40.4K £30.6K

$40.7K £30.8K

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

$299 £226

$187 £142

$540 £409

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

$17.42 £13.19

$13.79 £10.44

$41.43 £31.36

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.68 £32.31

$33.62 £25.45

$60.5 £45.82

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.88 £19.59

$24.87 £18.83

$26.89 £20.35

Cinema Ticket

$13.41 £10.15

$9.39 £7.11

$20.11 £15.23

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

$1,602 £1,213

$1,230 £931

$2,187 £1,656

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.7K £14.2K

$15.6K £11.8K

$24.9K £18.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.2 £63

$40.48 £30.64

$135 £102

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.35 £32.81

$27.09 £20.51

$67.7 £51.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.6 £69.3

$53.9 £40.78

$135 £102

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.5 £74.6

$61.2 £46.3

$163 £123

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,224 £927

$952 £721

$1,224 £927

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,021 £773

$761 £576

$1,073 £812

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,028 £1,535

$1,575 £1,192

$2,163 £1,637

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,673 £1,266

$1,271 £962

$1,873 £1,418

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,899 £4,466

$2,614 £1,979

$5,899 £4,466

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,919 £1,453

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.63

4.5

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Kirkwall - Frequently Asked Questions

Kirkwall offers a gentler cost profile than major UK hubs, especially for rent and everyday groceries. For expats and digital nomads, the island setting keeps many daily expenses modest, though some imported goods and seasonal services can rise in price. The trade-off is travel time and a pace that shifts with tourism, which affects dining and accommodation slightly. You’ll find walkable neighborhoods, a tight-knit community, and reliable coffee spots and coworking options that support longer stays. Cost of Living in Kirkwall, United Kingdom. Tip: Consider a longer stay to lock in housing and share resources for steadier budgeting.

Daily life in Kirkwall, United Kingdom living cost can shift with the season, so plan ahead for peak periods. Daily life in Kirkwall centers on a compact town with a harbor vibe and a mix of traditional and modern homes. Housing search tends toward longer-term rentals in town or nearby streets, with quieter residential lanes a short walk from services. Grocery options range from supermarkets to local markets offering fresh seafood and produce, while eateries cover casual cafés to hearty pubs. Transport is highly walkable, with buses and ferries for longer trips; biking is practical and car ownership adds flexibility. For errands and work, you’ll find small venues with reliable WiFi and friendly staff. Kirkwall, United Kingdom living cost can shift with the season, so plan ahead for peak periods. Tip: Build a flexible weekly plan to match ferry schedules and seasonal changes.

Quality of life in Kirkwall blends a small-town feel with history, sea views, and dependable services. The pace is relaxed, with opportunities to enjoy outdoor walks, local markets, and cultural events that suit both work and downtime. A practical budgeting framework is to categorize expenses into housing, groceries, transport, and incidentals, then review seasonality when planning trips or longer stays. To save, cook at home with local produce, bundle errands, and choose a neighborhood you can walk or bike to essentials. Seasonal tourism affects crowds and availability, so aim for off-peak stays if you can. Tip: Prioritize a neighborhood near amenities and reliable WiFi to support a balanced routine.