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City Comparison · 2026

Chelmsford vs Preston 2026

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%
VS
Lancashire
Preston
Median Salary £29,500
Cost of Living 63/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £680/mo
Real Take-Home £23,200/yr
Job Growth ↑ 3.5%
Unemployment 5.2%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary
Chelmsford
Best take-home pay after accounting for rent and cost of living.
Best for Affordability
Preston
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
Preston
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: Chelmsford vs Preston

Chelmsford

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

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Preston

Preston is a major Lancashire city with significant aerospace and manufacturing employment driven by BAE Systems.

Full Preston Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Chelmsford

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Preston

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