City Comparison · 2026

Brighton vs Bolton 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%

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

Brighton

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

Best for Affordability

Bolton

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

Highest Headline Salary

Brighton

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

Lowest Rent

Bolton

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

Brighton

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

Top Salaries: Brighton vs Bolton

Brighton

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

Full Brighton 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 Brighton

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Bolton

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More Comparisons

London vs Brighton

£52,800 vs £36,000

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Manchester vs Brighton

£36,500 vs £36,000

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Manchester vs Bolton

£36,500 vs £29,500

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Birmingham vs Brighton

£33,200 vs £36,000

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Birmingham vs Bolton

£33,200 vs £29,500

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