Job Location Salary Comparison UK 2026

Not always. London salaries are typically 20-40% higher than other UK cities, but rent alone can cost £800-£1,200 more per month than Manchester or Leeds. After housing, transport and tax, a £45,000 London salary can leave you with less disposable income than a £35,000 salary in Bristol or Leeds.

For each city, the calculator uses average monthly rent data from the ONS Private Rental Market Survey and Numbeo UK city data for 2025, average monthly commute costs from Transport Focus research, and a city-level cost of living index. You can override any estimate by entering your own actual figures.

Yes. When you select Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen, the calculator automatically applies Scottish Income Tax rates for 2025/26. These include a 21% intermediate rate on income between £25,688 and £43,662, and a 42% higher rate above that - slightly higher than the equivalent England and Wales rates. National Insurance is the same across all UK nations.

Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield consistently deliver the best purchasing power outside London. Their salaries are only 15-25% lower than London average, while housing costs are 55-70% cheaper. Leeds has average 1-bed rents around £700/month versus £2,100 in London, making it one of the strongest value locations for professionals. You can also check our cost of living by city calculator for a full breakdown.

It depends on the salary gap and your lifestyle. For salaries above £60,000-£70,000, London becomes more financially attractive because you absorb the fixed housing cost more comfortably. Below £50,000, the numbers often work against you. Career progression and networking opportunities are also factors, but the financial case alone rarely stacks up at entry to mid-level salaries.

London Weighting is a salary supplement paid by many employers to cover London's higher living costs. In the NHS and civil service, Inner London weighting is 20% of basic salary (minimum £5,609 for 2025/26), Outer London is 15% (minimum £4,714) and Fringe is 5% (minimum £1,303). Private sector supplements vary widely - some employers simply factor it into a higher base salary rather than labelling it separately. Use our London weighting calculator to check if your supplement is adequate.

Significantly, especially in London. A Zone 1-3 Travelcard costs around £184/month (£2,208/year) as of 2025. Annual rail season tickets to London from commuter towns can cost £3,000-£5,000. In contrast, a monthly bus pass in Leeds or Sheffield is around £55-£60. The commute cost difference between London and a northern city can be worth £1,500-£3,000 per year on its own. Use our commute cost calculator for a precise figure.

Yes. Select the same city for Location 1 and Location 2, but enter different salaries - for example your current salary and a proposed new salary. The calculator will show you the net difference in take-home pay after tax and deductions. For a more detailed salary increase breakdown, use our salary increase calculator.