Is Portobello Expensive?

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

-12% vs Edinburgh avg

Living in Portobello, Edinburgh

Portobello is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Edinburgh, with a cost of living index of 54.6 — that is -12% compared to the Edinburgh average. Ranked #15 of 18, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around £861/month, compared to a range of £764 in Gorgie to £1,224 in New Town.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Portobello, housing takes up roughly 33% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 17%, while transportation costs around 9%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately £34,458 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Portobello

Salaries in Portobello reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 54.6:

After tax and deductions of 24.1% in United Kingdom, take-home pay for someone earning £34,458 would be roughly £26,153/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

54.6
COLI Index
0.88x
vs City Avg
£861
Est. 1BR Rent
#15
of 18 Areas
24.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Portobello

Estimated annual deductions on a £30,836 salary in Portobello, Edinburgh (local employee).

Income Tax
12%
National Insurance (NI)
8.0%
Council Tax (avg) (est.)
4.3%
Total Deductions: 24.1%
Est. Take-Home: £23,396/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Portobello would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $40,950
London GBP £35,241
Dubai AED AED 204,905

Other Neighborhoods in Edinburgh

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
New Town 77.6 1.25x +25%
Old Town 73.3 1.18x +18%
Stockbridge 71.4 1.15x +15%
Dean Village 71.4 1.15x +15%
Morningside 68.3 1.10x +10%

View all 18 neighborhoods in Edinburgh →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Portobello:

Tallaght, Dublin Lucan, Dublin Yorkdale, Toronto Safety Harbor, Tampa Fishhawk, Tampa Al Quoz, Dubai

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portobello expensive in Edinburgh?

Portobello is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Edinburgh. It costs about -12% less than the city average, ranking #15 out of 18 neighborhoods.

How does Portobello compare to the Edinburgh average?

The cost of living in Portobello is below the Edinburgh average. With a multiplier of 0.88x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -12% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include UK Office for National Statistics · HM Revenue & Customs · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.