Cost of Living in Oban - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $921 (excluding rent), and $2,294 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,277 (excluding rent), and $4,387 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.65 £12.25
$13.32 £9.81
$33.3 £24.5
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69 £50.8
$62.1 £45.72
$124 £91.4
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.72 £4.95
$6.72 £4.95
$10.76 £7.92
Cappuccino
$3.46 £2.55
$3.46 £2.55
$5.53 £4.07
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 £1.56
$1.66 £1.22
$3.06 £2.25
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 £1.15
$1.37 £1.01
$2.75 £2.02
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.9 £3.61
$4.2 £3.09
$8.39 £6.17
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02 £2.96
$3.35 £2.46
$8.02 £5.9
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.7 £1.25
$1.06 £0.78
$2.39 £1.76
White Bread (500g)
$1.59 £1.17
$1.06 £0.78
$2.27 £1.67
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.85 £1.36
$1.11 £0.82
$2.77 £2.04
Eggs
$4.09 £3.01
$2.27 £1.67
$4.56 £3.36
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.52 £6.27
$2.65 £1.95
$14.6 £10.74
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.46 £8.43
$5.99 £4.41
$15.31 £11.27
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.81 £10.16
$6.83 £5.03
$27.33 £20.11
Apples (1kg)
$3.17 £2.33
$1.67 £1.23
$4.17 £3.07
Banana (1kg)
$1.7 £1.25
$1.07 £0.79
$4.41 £3.24
Oranges (1kg)
$2.83 £2.08
$1.91 £1.41
$9.57 £7.04
Tomato (1kg)
$4.2 £3.09
$2.21 £1.63
$6.14 £4.52
Potato (1kg)
$1.15 £0.85
$0.53 £0.39
$1.84 £1.35
Onion (1kg)
$1.1 £0.81
$1.03 £0.76
$2.07 £1.52
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.16 £0.85
$0.93 £0.69
$1.34 £0.98
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 £0.46
$0.35 £0.26
$1.83 £1.34
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$16.96 £12.48
$16.96 £12.48
$20.58 £15.14
Wine (Bottle)
$6.99 £5.15
$6.99 £5.15
$16.79 £12.35
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 £1.63
$1.78 £1.31
$2.46 £1.81
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 £1.66
$1.66 £1.22
$2.65 £1.95
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.77 £2.04
$2.77 £2.04
$4.15 £3.05
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$88.8 £65.4
$59.2 £43.58
$102 £75.2
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.87 £3.58
$4.17 £3.07
$6.94 £5.11
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 £1.3
$1.56 £1.14
$1.76 £1.3
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.72 £25.55
$32.69 £24.05
$36.77 £27.06
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.94 £1.43
$1.87 £1.38
$1.95 £1.44
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5K £28.3K
$38.5K £28.3K
$38.5K £28.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42K £30.9K
$41.5K £30.6K
$42.2K £31.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$339 £249
$271 £200
$610 £449
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.52 £18.04
$13.76 £10.13
$68.8 £50.6
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$45.48 £33.47
$32.55 £23.95
$70.5 £51.9
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.97 £32.36
$26.06 £19.18
$58.6 £43.15
Cinema Ticket
$9.08 £6.68
$8.37 £6.16
$18.15 £13.36
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,905 £1,402
$1,428 £1,051
$2,212 £1,628
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.6K £11.5K
$9,699 £7,138
$20.8K £15.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.6 £60.8
$47.12 £34.67
$108 £79.3
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74 £30.72
$27.67 £20.36
$55.4 £40.73
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94 £69.1
$40.34 £29.68
$108 £79.2
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 £90.1
$55.2 £40.62
$166 £122
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,084 £798
$843 £621
$1,084 £798
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$902 £663
$672 £495
$947 £697
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,105 £1,549
$1,635 £1,203
$2,246 £1,653
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,576 £1,160
$1,198 £881
$1,765 £1,299
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,670 £1,965
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.2
5.9
7.7
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Oban - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oban affordable for travelers and long-term visitors, and how does it compare overall?
Oban offers a laid-back coastal vibe that many travelers, expats, and digital nomads find appealing. Relative to Scotland's bigger cities, everyday costs for groceries, dining out, and services tend to feel more manageable, especially if you shop locally and prepare meals at your accommodation. Peak-season lodging near the harbour and in popular streets can push rents higher, while calmer months often bring more affordable options. You’ll notice a difference between the bustling waterfront and quieter residential pockets, giving you room to choose value without sacrificing access to ferries, groceries, and cafes. Cost of Living in Oban, United Kingdom reflects this balance. Tip: Plan your stay around shoulder seasons to balance price and availability.
What does daily life look like in Oban for housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Oban centers on the harbor and a compact town core that is easy to explore on foot. Your housing search tends to turn up small flats, cottages, or converted homes within easy reach of shops and ferries; expect a premium in peak season if you want waterfront proximity. Food options include local markets, fishmongers, bakeries, and cafés with a loyal following. Transport is practical: walk or bike for short trips, take ferries to nearby islands, and use buses for wider routes. Oban, United Kingdom living cost can shift with tourist flow, so plan ahead. Tip: group errands and map ferry schedules to save time and money.
How can you assess quality of life in Oban and budget effectively for a longer stay?
Quality of life in Oban hinges on pace, access to outdoor experiences, and a tight-knit local scene. A practical budgeting framework is to separate essentials from discretionary spending: lodging, groceries, and transport first, leisure second. In shoulder seasons you may see calmer streets, shorter menus, and more favorable rental terms, while peak summer months bring a busier harbor and more options, albeit with competition for space. For neighborhood fit, consider proximity to the ferry terminal if you plan island trips, or a quieter hillside view if you value quiet evenings. Tip: establish a monthly plan with a small buffer for weather-related changes and seasonal activities.
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