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City Comparison

Edinburgh is 70% cheaper

The Verdict

Living in Edinburgh is 70% cheaper than Geneva.
If you move from Edinburgh to Geneva, you will pay more for housing and more for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a £40,000 salary in Edinburgh, you would need to earn about £75,897 in Geneva.

Edinburgh Wins
6

of 6 categories

Tied
0

categories

Geneva Wins
0

of 6 categories

Category Breakdown

Compare costs across 6 key categories

Overall Cost
78
Edinburgh
vs
148
Geneva
Edinburgh is 70 pts cheaper
Rent
65
Edinburgh
vs
170
Geneva
Edinburgh is 105 pts cheaper
Groceries
96
Edinburgh
vs
138
Geneva
Edinburgh is 42 pts cheaper
Restaurants
85
Edinburgh
vs
155
Geneva
Edinburgh is 70 pts cheaper
Transport
88
Edinburgh
vs
135
Geneva
Edinburgh is 47 pts cheaper
Utilities
92
Edinburgh
vs
122
Geneva
Edinburgh is 30 pts cheaper

City Profiles

What makes each city unique

EdinburghUnited Kingdom
Edinburgh combines historic charm with strong financial and tech sectors.

Why people love Edinburgh:

Historic architectureFestival cityStrong financeBeautiful scenery
Population
524,930
Avg. Salary
£2,800/mo
GenevaSwitzerland
Geneva hosts international organizations with stunning Alpine views.

Why people love Geneva:

UN & international orgsFrench-speakingLake Geneva viewsLuxury lifestyle
Population
201,818
Avg. Salary
£6,408/mo

Real Monthly Costs

Estimated costs based on London baseline prices

ExpenseEdinburghGenevaSavings
1-bed apartment (city centre)£1,300£3,400+£2,100
Monthly groceries£336£483+£147
Dining out (10 meals)£213£388+£175
Public transport pass£141£216+£75
Utilities (electric, heating, water)£166£220+£54
Total Monthly£2,155£4,706+£2,551

* Estimates based on London = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.

Who Should Choose Which City?

Recommendations based on your priorities

Choose Edinburgh if you...
  • Want lower overall living costs (70% cheaper)
  • Are looking for more affordable housing
  • Have children (lower childcare costs)
Choose Geneva if you...
  • Prioritize safety (score: 90/100)
  • Want higher earning potential (£6,408/mo avg)

Quality of Life & Safety

Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life

Edinburgh
80

Quality of Life Score

Geneva
86

Quality of Life Score

Edinburgh
85

Safety Score

Geneva
90

Safety Score

Salary Equivalence

How much you'd need in Geneva to match a Edinburgh salary

Salary in EdinburghEquivalent in GenevaDifference
£30,000£56,923£26,923 more
£40,000£75,897£35,897 more
£50,000£94,872£44,872 more
£60,000£113,846£53,846 more
£80,000£151,795£71,795 more
£100,000£189,744£89,744 more

Edinburgh vs Geneva: Summary

The overall cost of living differs by 70%. Edinburgh is the more affordable option.

Rent: Edinburgh has a rent index of 65, while Geneva has 170.

Average Salaries: Edinburgh: £2,800/month vs Geneva: £6,408/month (both in GBP).

Out of 6 categories, Edinburgh wins 6, while Geneva wins 0.

Compare more cities or calculate your UK take-home pay.