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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 and Scottish Government Private Rent Statistics (April 2026). The average house price is the official UK House Price Index figure for theRenfrewshire council area (data to March 2026); council tax is Renfrewshire's2026/27 full Band D bill including Scottish Water charges, before any discount. Cost index: 100 = Scotland average. Other figures are approximate. Childcare costs reflect full-time nursery averages.