City Comparison · 2026

Bristol vs Glasgow 2026

South West England

Bristol

Median Salary £38,200

Cost of Living 78/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,100/mo

Real Take-Home £26,500/yr

Job Growth ↑ 5.1%

Unemployment 3.5%

Scotland

Glasgow

Median Salary £35,200

Cost of Living 69/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £850/mo

Real Take-Home £25,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.1%

Unemployment 4.5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Bristol

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

Best for Affordability

Glasgow

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

Highest Headline Salary

Bristol

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

Lowest Rent

Glasgow

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

Best for Career Growth

Bristol

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

Best Overall Value

Bristol

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

Top Salaries: Bristol vs Glasgow

Bristol

Bristol consistently ranks as one of the UK's best cities for quality of life with above-average salaries and a booming tech sector.

Full Bristol Guide →

Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and commercial centre with a diverse economy spanning finance, manufacturing and a growing technology sector.

Full Glasgow Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Bristol

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Glasgow

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Birmingham vs Bristol

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Birmingham vs Glasgow

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