Cost of living in Kirkwall
Kirkwall, the largest town in Orkney, United Kingdom, offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Understanding the cost of living in Kirkwall is crucial for anyone considering relocating or visiting this picturesque town.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $23.25 on average, with a range between $15.08 and $31.42.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $100.55.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10.06.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $4.65 to $5.66, imported beer $3.77 to $8.3, cappuccino $3.71 to $3.77, and Coke/Pepsi $3.14.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced at $0.75 per liter.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $1.51.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $3.02.
- Local Cheese - Local cheese is priced at $6.28 per kg.
- Water (1.5 liter bottle) - A 1.5 liter bottle of water costs $1.01.
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) - A mid-range bottle of wine costs $8.8.
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) - A 0.5 liter bottle of domestic beer costs $2.51.
- Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - A 0.33 liter bottle of imported beer costs $3.14.
- Cigarettes (20 Pack, Marlboro) - A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs $18.85.
- Chicken Fillets (1kg) - Chicken fillets are priced at $8.8 per kg.
- Lettuce (1 head) - A head of lettuce costs $0.75.
Transportation
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $2.01 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $6.28, with a cost of $25.14 per hour of waiting.
- New Car (Volkswagen Golf) - A new Volkswagen Golf costs approximately $37,706.54.
- New Car (Toyota Corolla) - A new Toyota Corolla costs approximately $43,990.96.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $754.13.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $754.13.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1068.35.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $942.66.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $377.07.
- Internet - Internet services average $25.14.
- Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs $37.71.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for United Kingdom are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United Kingdom, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
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"Key Takeaways"
Kirkwall offers a moderate cost of living with reasonable housing and utility costs. Dining out can be relatively expensive, especially at mid-range restaurants.
Transportation costs are notable, particularly for fuel and taxi services. However, grocery prices remain affordable, making it easier to manage daily expenses.
Conclusion
Overall, Kirkwall presents a balanced cost of living, with affordable housing and grocery prices offsetting higher dining and transportation costs.
Prospective residents should consider these factors when planning their budget, ensuring a comfortable lifestyle in this charming UK town.