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Greater Glasgow
Cost of Living in Paisley 2026
Cost index: 91 (Scotland avg = 100) · 43% cheaper than London
Cost Index
91
vs London
43% cheaper
Avg Salary
£32,500
2-bed Rent
£650/m
Cost of living in Paisley — 2026 overview
Paisley sits slightly below the Scottish average cost of living, with a cost index of 91 (Scotland = 100) and is 43% cheaper than London. A 2-bedroom rental is £650/month — 27% of median monthly gross income — which is relatively manageable. Average salaries of £32,500 and moderate living costs make Paisley one of Scotland's better value locations. Monthly non-rent essentials (groceries, transport, utilities, broadband, gym) come to approximately £510.
Housing costs
Monthly expenses
Eating & drinking out
Pint of beer
£4.60
Coffee
£3.10
Meal for two
£38
Salary & take-home pay
At the median salary of £28,800, estimated monthly take-home pay is £1,632. A 2-bed rent of £650/month takes up 40% of take-home pay. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold. A 1-bed or flatshare would improve affordability.
Greater Glasgow — cost of living comparison
Frequently asked questions — living in Paisley
Is Paisley cheap to live in?
Yes, Paisley is one of the more affordable Scottish cities. Its cost index is 91 against a Scotland average of 100, meaning day-to-day costs run about 9% below the national average. It is also 43% cheaper than London. A 2-bedroom rental is £650/month and the average salary is £32,500, giving a reasonable rent-to-income ratio.
What is the average rent in Paisley?
In Paisley, average monthly rents are: 1-bedroom — £525, 2-bedroom — £650, 3-bedroom — £850. These are private rented sector averages for 2026 based on Scottish Government Private Rent Statistics and Zoopla data. Rents vary significantly by neighbourhood — city centre and West End properties typically run 15–25% above these averages, while suburban and outer areas tend to be lower. Under Scotland's Private Residential Tenancy rules, rent increases must be notified 3 months in advance and are currently subject to the rent adjudication process.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Paisley?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Paisley — covering a 2-bedroom rent (or splitting with a flatmate), groceries, transport, utilities, and some savings — typically requires a gross salary of around £28,000. At this level, take-home pay after Scottish income tax and NI is approximately £1,529/month. A couple sharing a 2-bed flat would each need a gross income of roughly £17,000 to live comfortably. These figures do not include childcare, which adds £975/month if applicable.
Is Paisley cheaper than Edinburgh?
Paisley is 27% cheaper than Edinburgh based on cost index (91 vs 118; Scotland average = 100). Renting a 2-bedroom property costs £650/month in Paisley compared to £1,250/month in Edinburgh. Average salaries are £32,500 in Paisley versus £38,500 in Edinburgh.
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Data: Numbeo, ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Zoopla, Scottish Government Private Rent Statistics, and local authority council tax schedules. Cost index: 100 = Scotland average. Figures are approximate and based on the most recent available data (April 2026). Childcare costs reflect full-time nursery averages.