Cost of Living in Kirkwall - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $2,318 monthly including rent, or $1,149 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,450 with rent, or $1,942 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,582 including rent, or $2,734 for daily expenses alone.

Kirkwall sits 63–72% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 30% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.28 £18.68

$16.40 £12.12

$34.17 £25.25

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.2 £60.0

$63.6 £47.02

$135 £100

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.89 £7.31

$8.35 £6.17

$11.89 £8.79

Cappuccino

$4.02 £2.97

$3.99 £2.95

$4.06 £3.00

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

$2.33 £1.72

$1.49 £1.10

$4.10 £3.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.59 £1.17

$1.33 £0.98

$2.65 £1.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.48 £4.05

$4.95 £3.66

$6.02 £4.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.35 £4.70

$3.98 £2.94

$8.74 £6.46

Milk (1 liter)

$1.60 £1.18

$0.94 £0.70

$2.22 £1.64

White Bread (500g)

$1.65 £1.22

$1.03 £0.76

$2.77 £2.05

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.22 £1.64

$1.34 £0.99

$4.03 £2.98

Eggs

$3.97 £2.93

$2.49 £1.84

$5.52 £4.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.75 £7.20

$4.31 £3.18

$16.41 £12.13

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.61 £6.36

$5.30 £3.91

$11.70 £8.65

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.32 £10.58

$7.61 £5.62

$22.15 £16.37

Apples (1kg)

$3.15 £2.33

$1.38 £1.02

$5.29 £3.91

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 £1.20

$1.10 £0.82

$2.88 £2.13

Oranges (1kg)

$2.87 £2.12

$1.37 £1.01

$4.11 £3.04

Tomato (1kg)

$3.54 £2.62

$1.65 £1.22

$6.09 £4.50

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 £1.21

$0.68 £0.50

$2.68 £1.98

Onion (1kg)

$1.55 £1.14

$1.12 £0.83

$2.79 £2.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 £0.79

$0.67 £0.49

$1.59 £1.18

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 £1.08

$0.67 £0.49

$2.66 £1.97

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.36 £14.31

$16.94 £12.52

$23.52 £17.38

Wine (Bottle)

$10.71 £7.91

$8.03 £5.93

$16.06 £11.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 £2.06

$1.66 £1.22

$4.15 £3.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.08 £2.28

$1.58 £1.17

$5.28 £3.90

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.27 £2.42

$2.64 £1.95

$3.96 £2.93

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$90.2 £66.7

$60.1 £44.44

$104 £76.7

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.59 £4.13

$4.06 £3.00

$6.99 £5.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 £1.18

$1.35 £1.00

$1.94 £1.43

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.01 £17.00

$20.30 £15.00

$32.48 £24.00

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.96 £1.45

$1.89 £1.39

$2.15 £1.59

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

$39.0K £28.8K

$38.6K £28.5K

$39.0K £28.8K

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

$41.1K £30.4K

$41.3K £30.6K

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

$291 £215

$182 £135

$525 £388

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

$17.00 £12.57

$13.46 £9.95

$40.44 £29.88

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.62 £31.50

$33.57 £24.81

$60.4 £44.67

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$26.29 £19.43

$25.26 £18.67

$27.31 £20.18

Cinema Ticket

$13.41 £9.91

$9.38 £6.93

$20.11 £14.86

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

$1,575 £1,164

$1,210 £894

$2,151 £1,589

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.1K £13.4K

$15.1K £11.2K

$24.2K £17.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$85.3 £63.0

$41.48 £30.65

$138 £102

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.07 £32.57

$27.54 £20.35

$68.9 £50.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$93.8 £69.3

$55.2 £40.79

$138 £102

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.7 £73.7

$61.9 £45.72

$165 £122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,204 £890

$936 £692

$1,204 £890

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$999 £739

$745 £551

$1,050 £776

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,068 £1,528

$1,606 £1,187

$2,206 £1,630

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,692 £1,251

$1,286 £950

$1,895 £1,401

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,959 £1,448

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: April 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,204 for a central one-bedroom, or $999 outside the center. At around 61% of the average salary ($1,959), rent noticeably above the typical 30% rent-to-income guideline.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,959, while typical expenses reach $2,318. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $299 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $81 for two – broadly in line with the European average.

Public transport is priced at around $90 per month – above the European average of $48.

Cost Highlights

Gym membership is cheaper than 95% of cities in Europe

Meal at budget restaurant is more expensive than 92% of cities in Europe

Kirkwall 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 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.

With 61% of the average paycheck going to rent, Kirkwall is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

All in, Kirkwall runs about $2,318 monthly with rent, or $1,149 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.

An average salary of $1,959 technically covers the $2,318 monthly cost of living in Kirkwall, but just barely. There's little room for surprises – a rent hike, medical bill, or unexpected repair can throw things off quickly at this income level.

Where you live in Kirkwall makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,204; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $999. Overall, the market runs from $999 to $1,204 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A monthly transit pass in Kirkwall runs about $90.2, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

At about $299 monthly, food costs in Kirkwall sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $1,000 in Kirkwall means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,318. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Kirkwall offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, clean air, family-friendly facilities, and at around $2,318 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.