City Comparison · 2026

Blackpool vs Preston 2026

Lancashire

Blackpool

Median Salary £25,500

Cost of Living 58/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £550/mo

Real Take-Home £20,900/yr

Job Growth ↑ 2.5%

Unemployment 7.5%

Lancashire

Preston

Median Salary £29,500

Cost of Living 63/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £680/mo

Real Take-Home £23,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.5%

Unemployment 5.2%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Preston

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

Best for Affordability

Blackpool

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

Highest Headline Salary

Preston

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

Lowest Rent

Blackpool

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

Best for Career Growth

Preston

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

Best Overall Value

Preston

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

Top Salaries: Blackpool vs Preston

Blackpool

Blackpool is a major seaside resort with the most affordable living costs of any UK city but faces significant economic challenges.

Full Blackpool Guide →

Preston

Preston is a major Lancashire city with significant aerospace and manufacturing employment driven by BAE Systems.

Full Preston Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Blackpool

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Jobs in Preston

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More Comparisons

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Manchester vs Preston

£36,500 vs £29,500

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Birmingham vs Blackpool

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Birmingham vs Preston

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