City Comparison · 2026

Birmingham vs Milton Keynes 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

Milton Keynes

Median Salary £38,500

Cost of Living 78/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,100/mo

Real Take-Home £26,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 5.5%

Unemployment 3.2%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Milton Keynes

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

Milton Keynes

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

Milton Keynes

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

Best Overall Value

Milton Keynes

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

Top Salaries: Birmingham vs Milton Keynes

Birmingham

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

Full Birmingham Guide →

Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes is one of the UK's fastest growing cities with a strong business services and technology sector.

Full Milton Keynes Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Birmingham

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Jobs in Milton Keynes

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More Comparisons

London vs Birmingham

£52,800 vs £33,200

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London vs Milton Keynes

£52,800 vs £38,500

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London vs Milton Keynes

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Manchester vs Birmingham

£36,500 vs £33,200

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Manchester vs Milton Keynes

£36,500 vs £38,500

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Manchester vs Milton Keynes

£36,500 vs £38,500

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All City Comparisons →