Frequently Asked Questions
What salary in London matches £70,000 in Edinburgh?
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£97,200 in London provides the same purchasing power as £70,000 in Edinburgh.
This is based on Edinburgh's COL index of 72 vs London's 100 (London = 100, Numbeo 2025).
The 39% cost difference translates directly to a 39% higher equivalent salary.
Is London significantly cheaper than Edinburgh?
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London is 39% more expensive overall than Edinburgh.
The most visible difference is rent: Edinburgh averages £1,100/month for a 1-bed flat
vs £2,050/month in London
— a premium of £950/month (£11,400/year).
How is the salary equivalence calculated?
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SalaryDex uses city-level cost-of-living indices from Numbeo 2025, normalised so London = 100.
The formula is: equivalent = salary × (cityB COL ÷ cityA COL).
For this page: £70,000 × (100 ÷ 72) = £97,200.
The index captures overall cost differences including rent, food, transport, utilities and services.
It does not account for individual tax positions or lifestyle choices.
Should I accept a lower salary to move from Edinburgh to London?
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Moving to London requires a higher salary to maintain your standard of living.
You need approximately £97,200 — £27,200 more than your current £70,000 in Edinburgh.
London is 39% more expensive overall and rent averages £2,050/month vs £1,100.