City Comparison · 2026

Birmingham vs Newport 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%

Wales

Newport

Median Salary £29,500

Cost of Living 64/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £700/mo

Real Take-Home £23,100/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.5%

Unemployment 5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Birmingham

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

Best for Affordability

Newport

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

Highest Headline Salary

Birmingham

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

Lowest Rent

Newport

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 Newport

Birmingham

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

Full Birmingham Guide →

Newport

Newport is a growing Welsh city with significant manufacturing and technology investment close to the Severn Bridge.

Full Newport Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Birmingham

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Newport

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Manchester vs Newport

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Birmingham vs Edinburgh

£33,200 vs £38,900

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