Two prominent cities stand out for people moving to Scotland: Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Many factors could determine which city is best for you, including:
- House prices
- Cost of living
- Local attractions
And more.
This article will compare each city according to these factors.
Which is more popular – Edinburgh or Glasgow?
Some differences between cities are more black and white.
For example, Edinburgh tends to be more popular with tourists, attracting three times more visitors than Glasgow.
And Glasgow is a much bigger city by population size (even though Edinburgh has a larger total area when you include the surrounding countryside).
Despite these facts, Edinburgh and Glasgow will be popular for different reasons, which we’ll go into further detail in the sections below.
What does Edinburgh have to offer?
Types of attractions
As the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh offers many advantages, including different types of attractions for tourists and residents alike.
Some top attractions include:
- Edinburgh Castle
- the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Arthur’s Seat
- A wide range of art galleries and museums.
Edinburgh is also home to the annual Fringe Festival and many whiskey experiences.
These attractions make Edinburgh the second-most visited city in the UK (after London), making it a strong contender for those who require a city jam-packed full of tourist attractions and things to do.
Getting around
Edinburgh is easy to get around, with many public transport options available to visitors and residents.
Edinburgh Airport is a short distance from the city centre. There are two train stations, Edinburgh Waverly and Haymarket Station.
Buses and trams make travelling around the capital city as stress-free as possible. The latter also runs from the airport to the city centre.
The urban area is smaller than Glasgow’s, so it tends to be more accessible to explore on foot.
However, many hills in Edinburgh may be off-putting to some.
People
People in Edinburgh tend to be very friendly and will generally have a softer accent than people from Glasgow.
Eating & drinking
As for food and drink, Edinburgh has many popular, high-end restaurants that are very appealing if you’re into fine dining.
Some popular restaurants include The Number One within the Balmoral Hotel, Monteiths, and Empires.
Edinburgh also has a great drinks scene with popular cocktail bars like the Casablanca Cocktail Club.
Restaurants and bars in Edinburgh do get booked quickly. So, you’ll need to book in advance rather than being able to drop in and have a guaranteed table.
What does Glasgow have to offer?
Types of attractions
Glasgow has a range of great attractions, including a vibrant music scene, museums, and art galleries. It is one of the citiy’s many advantages.
However, it doesn’t come close to the vast number of different things available to see and do in the capital city of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is the second most popular tourist city in the UK after London, so it’s a difficult contender to beat for local attractions.
Getting around
Glasgow is a large city, but it’s straightforward to explore due to its extensive public transport options.
The city is home to an underground system known as ‘The Clockwork Orange’, and allows you to get from one side of the city to the other incredibly quickly.
As with Edinburgh, there are a wealth of bus services and train stations, plus the city is easy to explore as a pedestrian.
It’s flatter than Edinburgh – however, it’s also larger. So, getting around requires more walking, driving and public transport.
People
Glaswegians are known for their distinctive accents and cheeky attitudes. The city was built on industry and trade.
Glasgowegians are known for being relatable, warm, and keen to welcome people to their city.
You might just need them to repeat the odd word if they have a particularly strong accent!
Eating & drinking
Food and drink in Glasgow tend to be more relaxed than in Edinburgh, with more of a focus on gastro pubs and music venues.
Glasgow is famous for Scottish cultural classics such as the deep-friend mars bar and battered haggis. It also tends to offer more chain restaurants and takeaways than Edinburgh.
While sophisticated diners may not find this appealing, there’s no doubt that you’ll never struggle for somewhere to eat/drink in Glasgow.
And you can be more spontaneous, knowing there will be somewhere to drop in and grab a table.
Which City is more affordable/more expensive to live in?
Below, we’ve included some data on how affordable/expensive it is to live in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas.
We’ve broken this down by average property price and the average rental price PCM (Per Calendar Month).
Some approximate cost of living for a single person and income figures have also been included to show how the cities differ in affordability/expense.
| City | Avg. Property Price | Avg. Rental Price (PCM) | Avg. Yearly Salary | Avg. Monthly Cost of Living |
| Edinburgh | £338,639 | £2,301 | £2,833 | £2,116 |
| Glasgow | £207,788 | £1,669 | £2,666 | £1,617 |
This data clearly shows that Edinburgh is a more expensive area to live in than Glasgow.
While the average yearly salary is higher, it is not significantly higher when considering the higher cost of living and rent/property prices.
This means that renting in Edinburgh can be difficult. However, the high demand can also make Edinburgh a good place to invest in property.
Of course, Glasgow has a range of different areas to live in, too. Some of which are much more expensive than its average price.
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