City Comparison · 2026

Bradford vs Chelmsford 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%

East of England

Chelmsford

Median Salary £35,000

Cost of Living 78/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,100/mo

Real Take-Home £24,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4%

Unemployment 3.5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Chelmsford

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

Chelmsford

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

Chelmsford

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

Best Overall Value

Chelmsford

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

Top Salaries: Bradford vs Chelmsford

Bradford

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

Full Bradford Guide →

Chelmsford

Chelmsford is a major commuter city for London with strong professional services and technology sectors.

Full Chelmsford Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Bradford

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Chelmsford

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More Comparisons

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£52,800 vs £28,500

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Manchester vs Chelmsford

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Birmingham vs Bradford

£33,200 vs £28,500

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Birmingham vs Chelmsford

£33,200 vs £35,000

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