City Comparison · 2026

Bradford vs Bolton 2026

West Yorkshire

Bradford

Median Salary £28,500

Cost of Living 60/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £650/mo

Real Take-Home £22,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.2%

Unemployment 5.8%

Greater Manchester

Bolton

Median Salary £29,500

Cost of Living 63/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £680/mo

Real Take-Home £23,100/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.2%

Unemployment 5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Bolton

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

Best for Affordability

Bradford

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

Highest Headline Salary

Bolton

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

Lowest Rent

Bradford

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

Best for Career Growth

Bradford

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

Best Overall Value

Bolton

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

Top Salaries: Bradford vs Bolton

Bradford

Bradford has the youngest average population of any UK city with a growing creative and digital sector alongside traditional manufacturing.

Full Bradford Guide →

Bolton

Bolton is a major town in Greater Manchester with strong manufacturing roots and growing digital and professional services sectors.

Full Bolton Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Bradford

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Bolton

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More Comparisons

London vs Bradford

£52,800 vs £28,500

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Manchester vs Bradford

£36,500 vs £28,500

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Manchester vs Bolton

£36,500 vs £29,500

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Birmingham vs Bradford

£33,200 vs £28,500

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Birmingham vs Bolton

£33,200 vs £29,500

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