City Comparison · 2026

Birmingham vs Guildford 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 East England

Guildford

Median Salary £42,000

Cost of Living 88/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,400/mo

Real Take-Home £25,400/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.2%

Unemployment 2.5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Guildford

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

Guildford

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

Guildford

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

Top Salaries: Birmingham vs Guildford

Birmingham

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

Full Birmingham Guide →

Guildford

Guildford is one of the UK's most prosperous towns with a strong technology and gaming sector near London.

Full Guildford Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Birmingham

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Guildford

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Manchester vs Guildford

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