Cost of Living in Lerwick - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,075 (excluding rent), and $2,323 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,869 (excluding rent), and $4,552 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.33 £15.39

$13.56 £10.26

$40.66 £30.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$82.8 £62.7

$64.8 £49.08

$138 £104

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.89 £7.49

$8.36 £6.33

$11.9 £9.01

Cappuccino

$4.58 £3.47

$3.34 £2.53

$6 £4.54

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

$2.28 £1.72

$1.45 £1.1

$4 £3.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.64 £1.24

$1.37 £1.04

$2.74 £2.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.16 £4.66

$4.06 £3.08

$8.53 £6.46

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.28 £4.76

$4.9 £3.71

$8.38 £6.35

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 £1.25

$0.97 £0.74

$2.29 £1.74

White Bread (500g)

$1.64 £1.24

$1.02 £0.77

$2.76 £2.09

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.27 £1.72

$1.38 £1.04

$4.13 £3.13

Eggs

$3.92 £2.97

$2.46 £1.87

$5.46 £4.13

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.77 £7.4

$4.32 £3.27

$16.45 £12.45

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.64 £6.54

$5.31 £4.02

$11.74 £8.89

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.86 £10.5

$7.37 £5.58

$21.44 £16.23

Apples (1kg)

$3.17 £2.4

$1.39 £1.05

$5.33 £4.04

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 £1.24

$1.11 £0.84

$2.9 £2.19

Oranges (1kg)

$2.92 £2.21

$1.39 £1.05

$4.18 £3.16

Tomato (1kg)

$3.49 £2.64

$1.62 £1.23

$5.99 £4.53

Potato (1kg)

$1.67 £1.27

$0.7 £0.53

$2.74 £2.08

Onion (1kg)

$1.47 £1.11

$1.06 £0.8

$2.65 £2.01

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.1 £0.83

$0.69 £0.52

$1.64 £1.24

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 £1.11

$0.67 £0.51

$2.67 £2.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.74 £14.19

$16.39 £12.41

$22.76 £17.23

Wine (Bottle)

$10.79 £8.17

$7.86 £5.95

$16.19 £12.25

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.81 £2.13

$1.67 £1.26

$4.17 £3.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 £2.44

$1.66 £1.26

$5.52 £4.18

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.38 £2.56

$2.73 £2.07

$4.09 £3.1

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.9 £67.3

$59.3 £44.86

$102 £77.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.55 £4.2

$4.03 £3.05

$6.94 £5.25

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 £1.2

$1.34 £1.02

$1.92 £1.45

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.12 £17.5

$20.4 £15.44

$32.64 £24.71

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.87 £1.42

$1.81 £1.37

$2.06 £1.56

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

$38.8K £29.4K

$38.4K £29.1K

$38.8K £29.4K

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

$41.2K £31.2K

$41.5K £31.4K

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

$295 £223

$185 £140

$532 £403

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

$17.47 £13.22

$13.83 £10.47

$41.54 £31.45

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.98 £32.53

$33.86 £25.63

$61 £46.14

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.76 £35.4

$27.71 £20.98

$62.4 £47.2

Cinema Ticket

$13.35 £10.1

$9.34 £7.07

$20.02 £15.15

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

$1,577 £1,194

$1,211 £917

$2,153 £1,630

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.1K £13.7K

$15.1K £11.4K

$24.2K £18.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.2 £63

$40.49 £30.65

$135 £102

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.45 £32.89

$27.16 £20.56

$67.9 £51.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.6 £69.3

$53.9 £40.77

$135 £102

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$98.1 £74.3

$60.9 £46.1

$162 £123

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,218 £922

$948 £717

$1,218 £922

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,014 £768

$756 £572

$1,066 £807

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,062 £1,561

$1,601 £1,212

$2,199 £1,665

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,692 £1,281

$1,286 £973

$1,895 £1,435

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,012 £3,794

$2,221 £1,681

$5,012 £3,794

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

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Lerwick - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with major UK hubs, Lerwick offers a calmer pace and practical value for longer stays. The Cost of Living in Lerwick tends to be steadier, with affordable housing options in town and sensible prices for everyday goods, tempered by imports for non-local items. You’ll discover value in local markets, seafood, and shared accommodation, plus low commuter costs if you stay near the center. Seasonal travel and ferry access shape budgeting, but prices are generally more predictable than big cities. Plan for occasional higher costs on travel and utilities in shoulder seasons. Tip: Build a simple monthly budget around housing, food, transport, and leisure.

Your housing search will likely turn up compact flats in town or traditional cottages nearby, with options for short or longer stays. Food choices include local shops, fishmongers, and supermarkets; fresh seafood is a staple and often good value if bought in season. For transport, walking and biking work well in the town core, with buses and ferries for off-island trips. If you work remotely, look for a coworking space or a cafe with reliable Wi-Fi. Budget for heating and utilities in cooler months, and plan errands by grouping trips. Lerwick living cost guides your day-to-day decisions. Tip: Map a weekly shopping route and use local markets to stretch groceries.

Quality of life in Lerwick blends safety, access to nature, and a compact, walkable town feel. Use a budgeting framework like monthly categories (housing, food, transport, leisure) and review it every few weeks to catch off-season shifts. Seasonality affects energy use and activities: long summer days invite outdoor work or exploration, while winter prompts cozy weekends and careful heating planning. For neighborhood fit, consider proximity to the harbor for access to services and ferries or quieter rural lanes for privacy and scenic views. Tip: Start with a two-month test stay in a couple of areas to sense the cadence of life here.