City Comparison · 2026

Brighton vs Aberdeen 2026

South East England

Brighton

Median Salary £36,000

Cost of Living 80/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,200/mo

Real Take-Home £24,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.2%

Unemployment 3.8%

Scotland

Aberdeen

Median Salary £40,000

Cost of Living 76/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £900/mo

Real Take-Home £28,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.2%

Unemployment 3.5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Aberdeen

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

Best for Affordability

Aberdeen

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

Highest Headline Salary

Aberdeen

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

Lowest Rent

Aberdeen

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

Best for Career Growth

Brighton

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

Best Overall Value

Aberdeen

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

Top Salaries: Brighton vs Aberdeen

Brighton

Brighton is the UK's creative and digital capital outside London with a thriving startup scene and strong tourism economy.

Full Brighton Guide →

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is the oil capital of Europe with above-average salaries driven by the energy sector despite a challenging transition period.

Full Aberdeen Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Brighton

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Jobs in Aberdeen

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More Comparisons

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£52,800 vs £36,000

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£36,500 vs £36,000

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Manchester vs Aberdeen

£36,500 vs £40,000

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Birmingham vs Brighton

£33,200 vs £36,000

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Birmingham vs Aberdeen

£33,200 vs £40,000

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