City Comparison · 2026

Birmingham vs Bath 2026

West Midlands

Birmingham

Median Salary £33,200

Cost of Living 68/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £800/mo

Real Take-Home £25,100/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.9%

Unemployment 4.8%

South West England

Bath

Median Salary £36,000

Cost of Living 82/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,200/mo

Real Take-Home £24,000/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4%

Unemployment 3%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Birmingham

Best take-home pay after accounting for rent and cost of living.

Best for Affordability

Birmingham

Lower cost of living index means your money goes further every day.

Highest Headline Salary

Bath

Higher median salary before cost of living is taken into account.

Lowest Rent

Birmingham

More affordable average rents leave more of your salary in your pocket.

Best for Career Growth

Birmingham

Higher job growth rate and more active job market for ambitious professionals.

Best Overall Value

Birmingham

When salary, cost of living and rent are all considered together.

Top Salaries: Birmingham vs Bath

Birmingham

Birmingham is the UK's second largest city undergoing significant regeneration with growing financial services and digital sectors.

Full Birmingham Guide →

Bath

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City with a thriving technology and creative sector anchored by the University of Bath.

Full Bath Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Birmingham

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Jobs in Bath

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