You should know the cost of living in Aberdeen before coming here so you can make reasonable arrangements for your daily life. As the third largest city in Scotland, Aberdeen is home to the famous University of Aberdeen, which attracts students from all over the world to study here. It is also a comfortable place to live, with low prices and easy living compared to the big, bustling cities. The cost of living can vary, with a general range of ￡950-£1,400/month (based on local Aberdeen information, including daily expenses and accommodation). So what exactly is this sum spent on? Follow us, you’ll find out, and you won’t spend a cent more than you have to.
Cost of Living in Aberdeen: Overview
The cost of living in Aberdeen for students typically ranges from £950 to £1,400 per month, including rent, utilities, food, transport, and personal expenses. Aberdeen remains more affordable than many major UK cities, making it a budget-friendly option for international students. These estimates reflect current data for 2025 and offer a practical guide to planning your student budget.
| Category | Estimated Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent / Housing | £700–£1,000 | Depends on room type and distance to campus |
| Utilities & Internet | £150–£220 | Electricity, heating, water, Wi-Fi |
| Food & Groceries | £150–£250 | Based on a student cooking most meals |
| Transport | £50–£90 | Bus pass or occasional travel |
| Personal & Miscellaneous | £100–£150 | Toiletries, leisure, books, phone |
| Average Total | £950–£1,400 | Common cost range for students in Aberdeen |
Cost of Living in Aberdeen: Food
Speaking of the cost of living in Aberdeen, Scotland, food expenses are inevitable. There are many supermarkets in Aberdeen, such as Tesco, Morrisons, M&S, Lidl, ASDA, etc., and their prices are mostly the same across the UK. You can usually spend around ￡30-￡50 per week at the supermarket, covering your food needs for the week.
Regarding lunch during the school year, you can find a simple package of sandwiches, drinks, and small snacks for a reasonable price of no more than ￡4. The average cost in school canteens and cafes is around ￡5, providing you with affordable options.
Dinners, as well as going to restaurants, will cost slightly more and range more. The average price of a main course in a typical formal restaurant is around ￡15-£20, and the more upmarket the restaurant, the higher the price. In contrast, fast food chains can be quite affordable. For example, a set meal at McDonald’s is usually around ￡6, while a one-meal meal at a takeaway, plus delivery charges, can usually be had for under ￡15.
That means you’re spending £200 a month at the supermarket, and if you go to a restaurant twice a week that would be £150 a month, so you’re spending around £400 a month on meal.
Below are some prices for items purchased from Morrisons supermarket in Aberdeen, for guidance only:
| Items | Price |
|---|---|
| Beers（in restaurants) | 4-4.36￡ |
| Cappucino | 3.36￡ |
| Coke/Pepsi | 1.53￡ |
| Milk(regular)(1 liter) | 1.63￡ |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread(500g) | 1.21￡ |
| Eggs(12) | 2.80￡ |
| Lettuce(1 head) | 0.83￡ |
| Apples(1kg) | 2.04￡ |
| Chicken Fillets(1kg) | 7.01￡ |
Cost of Living in Aberdeen: Shopping
Speaking of living in Aberdeen, let’s talk about the expenses involved in shopping. Mainstream British brands are moderately priced, with summer clothes around ￡20-£40. Several local shopping centres in Aberdeen make buying brands, such as Hollister, NEXT, Topshop, etc, accessible. Of course, online shopping is also significantly developed nowadays, so you can shop online and buy discounted goods without going out.
If you want to find cost-effective goods, you may want to go to Primark shopping. There, you can choose from a variety of clothing, shoes, accessories, home furnishings, and other goods. The price is also very affordable, such as summer clothing, which is generally around ￡5-£20.
UK sports brands are not expensive and have a wide range of categories. It should be noted that the price of electronic products in the UK is high. If you want to buy electronic products, online shopping may be a more affordable option.
Cost of Living in Aberdeen: Transportation
Living in Aberdeen, Public transport is one of the main ways for students to get around. There are single tickets, day tickets and monthly tickets, and you can download the apps First Bus (short-distance buses covering Aberdeen city) or Stagecoach (long-distance buses covering mainly suburbs) for more information. Whether you buy your ticket online or on the bus, you can see if you can buy a student ticket and remember to bring your student card with you!
If you are under 26, you can apply for a NEC card (National Entitlement Card-Young Person Card), which not only allows you to travel free on basically all buses in Scotland (under 22s only) but also gives you discounts on some of the attractions in Scotland (under 26s only).
Cost of Living in Aberdeen: Education
Tuition fee
Tuition fees at the University of Aberdeen vary by course and are not flat-rate as previously stated. For international undergraduates, Arts and Social Sciences fees are £20,800 per year, while many Science / Engineering / Life-Sciences courses charge around £24,800 per year.
Scholarships
The University now offers the Aberdeen Global Scholarship: a £6,000 tuition fee waiver per year for new self-funded international undergraduates, and an £8,000 waiver for eligible postgraduate students (Masters or research) starting in 2025/26.
Cost of Living in Aberdeen: Accommodation
Accommodation is a relatively fixed and large part of the cost of living. Students can choose between university-run student halls of residence, third-party-run student flats, or renting private accommodation.
1.On-campus Accommodation fee
Taking the University of Aberdeen as an example, the university has three student flat blocks.
Kings Hall: £184/week
Elphinstone Road Flat:£128/week
Prices at Hillhead Student Village start from £107, offering a single bedroom with a washbasin. (This dormitory is off-campus, but it’s run by the university.)
2.Off-campus Accommodation fee
Whether run by the university or not, student accommodation is affordable. Typical weekly accommodation fees are around ￡90-£160, or about ￡360-£640 per month (Studio is mostly £700+/month). The electricity and water grids are all-inclusive, so no extra expenses exist. In winter, you don’t have to worry about the heating bill, which can save a lot of money. Off-campus student flats are available in Mealmarket Exchange, Causeway View, Pittodrie Street, Spring Gardens, etc, which are many students’ choices.
The cost of renting a private property will be affected by location, size and decoration. A good room in a shared house in Aberdeen costs around ￡350/month. You’ll usually have to share the cost of water and electricity with your flatmate, which is around ￡50-70/month for both of you (this is a volatile cost from month to month and can be higher in the winter when energy prices go up). Renting a one- or two-bedroom flat can cost around £500/month.
Cost of Living in Aberdeen: Sports and Leisure
After school, you will have a lot of free time. You can exercise or go out. Some flats offer indoor gyms, such as Justice Mill Studios, St Peters Studios, and Powis Place, so you don’t have to go out for exercise, or you can choose your favourite gym; membership costs around £40 per month.
If you go out once a week, to a restaurant, have a drink, or go to the cinema, the total cost is around £50. Buying tickets to see a show is a bit more expensive, and a ticket can cost a few tens of pounds. Looking for more fun things to do in Aberdeen? You can use this blog as a guide.
Live in Aberdeen, if you like travelling and want to get away to a neighbouring city occasionally, a short trip will cost around £100-200 (including return train tickets and catering). If you’re going to stay away, the average price of a UK hotel is around ￡100 per night. You can also opt for an Airbnb, which is a more cost-effective option than a hotel.
How to Save Money in Aberdeen (For Students)
Living in Aberdeen can be affordable if you make smart spending choices. Here are some practical ways students can reduce daily and monthly costs:
- Choose Student Accommodation Wisely: University halls and shared private flats are usually cheaper than renting a studio. Living slightly farther from the city centre often reduces rent by £100–£200 per month.
- Cook at Home and Shop Smart: Buy groceries at budget supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, and Asda. Meal prepping can cut food expenses from £250 to around £150 per month.
- Use Student Discounts Everywhere: Most shops, cafés, gyms, and transport providers offer student discounts through UNiDAYS or TOTUM—saving you £10–£50 per month.
- Take Advantage of Free Activities: Aberdeen has free museums, beaches, parks, and events. Replacing paid leisure activities can save another £30–£80 monthly.
- Get a Bus Pass or Walk: A monthly bus pass is cheaper than buying single tickets. Many students walk or cycle since campuses and city centre areas are close together.
- Buy Second-Hand Textbooks & Furniture: Use Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or the university noticeboard to save up to 70% on essentials.
Conclusion
Cost of living in Aberdeen, UK is quite reasonable generally, so you can live a comfortable life without spending much money. The above summary is based on official data and personal experience, specific expenses may vary depending on individual spending habits and choices, but it is important to maintain reasonable spending habits. Finally, we hope you can fully experience the multiculturalism, enjoy the unique and beautiful moments in your study life, and have a wonderful time in Aberdeen.
FAQ
Is Aberdeen expensive for students?
Aberdeen is considered more affordable than many UK university cities. Students typically spend £950–£1,400 per month, depending on lifestyle and accommodation choices.
Is it expensive to rent in Aberdeen?
Compared with major UK cities, rent in Aberdeen is moderate. Most students pay £700–£1,000 per month, with shared flats being more budget-friendly.
How much should I budget per year as a student in Aberdeen?
Most students spend £11,500–£16,000 per year on living costs, excluding tuition fees. Annual expense varies by accommodation type and personal lifestyle.
How do living expenses in Aberdeen compared to other cities in the UK?
Aberdeen tends to be cheaper than many major UK cities overall — especially for housing and rent — making it a relatively affordable city to live in.
A 2025 study ranked Aberdeen as the most affordable city in the UK for renters and home-buyers, with about 63% of rental properties deemed affordable versus local median income.
Compared with Edinburgh, Aberdeen’s overall living cost — including housing — is around 26% lower.
According to a student-cost guide, typical monthly living costs in Aberdeen range £950–£1,400, which is generally lower than many larger UK cities where rent and living basics run higher.
s Aberdeen cheaper than Edinburgh or Glasgow?
Yes. Aberdeen is generally cheaper than Edinburgh and Glasgow. Recent data shows overall living costs are about 17.7% lower than in Edinburgh, including rent. Aberdeen also ranks as one of the most affordable UK cities for housing in 2025, making it a budget-friendly choice for students and residents.
Are utilities expensive in Aberdeen?
Utility costs average £150–£220 per month for shared housing. Costs spike in winter due to heating—common in Scotland.
How to save money in Aberdeen as a student?
1. Develop the habit of keeping accounts. Bookkeeping helps you to keep track of your finances so that you can control and manage them.
2. Cook on your own. Cooking your own food can save you a lot of money, and it’s healthier and tastier.
3. Study hard and get a scholarship
4. Remember to use your student status and get student discounts on many services, such as on bus/train tickets and when shopping.
Can international students work part-time in Aberdeen?
Yes. With a Student Visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, which helps reduce living expenses.
