Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands
Council areasTwo neighbouring council areas in Scotland, side by side through the same published figures. Each figure keeps its own date and source.
Key figures
| Measure | Orkney Islands | Shetland Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price HM Land Registry · Aug 2026 | £216,479 Down 1.2% in a year | £180,869 Down 11.2% in a year |
| Median full-time pay ONS earnings survey · 2025 | £43,430 79th highest paid of 348 | £46,527 35th highest paid of 348 |
| House price to pay Worked out by Open Index | 5.0× Joint 43rd most affordable of 348 | 3.9× Joint 6th most affordable of 348 |
| Population estimate ONS population estimates · 2025 | 21,920 Down 0.4% in a year | 22,710 Down 0.4% in a year |
In brief
- Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands are neighbours across the sea.
- Orkney Islands' average house price is 20% higher than Shetland Islands'.
- Orkney Islands' median full-time pay is 7% lower than Shetland Islands'.
- Orkney Islands' house price to pay is 5.0×, against 3.9× in Shetland Islands.
- Orkney Islands' population estimate is 3% lower than Shetland Islands'.
How they compare
Each dot is a council. The black line marks the middle one.
Orkney IslandsShetland IslandsMiddle
Average house price360 councils, UK · Aug 2026
£216,479£180,869
Annual price change360 councils, UK · Aug 2026
−1.2%−11.2%
Median full-time pay348 councils, Great Britain · 2025
£43,430£46,527
House price to pay348 councils, Great Britain · 2025
5.0×3.9×
Population estimate361 councils, UK · 2025
21,92022,710
Annual population change361 councils, UK · 2025
−0.4%−0.4%