City Comparison · 2026

Derby vs Bath 2026

East Midlands

Derby

Median Salary £31,500

Cost of Living 65/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £730/mo

Real Take-Home £24,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.8%

Unemployment 4.8%

South West England

Bath

Median Salary £36,000

Cost of Living 82/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,200/mo

Real Take-Home £24,000/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4%

Unemployment 3%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Derby

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

Best for Affordability

Derby

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

Highest Headline Salary

Bath

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

Lowest Rent

Derby

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

Best for Career Growth

Bath

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

Best Overall Value

Derby

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

Top Salaries: Derby vs Bath

Derby

Derby is a major aerospace and manufacturing hub. Rolls-Royce headquarters here makes it one of the UK's leading engineering cities.

Full Derby Guide →

Bath

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City with a thriving technology and creative sector anchored by the University of Bath.

Full Bath Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Derby

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Bath

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Birmingham vs Derby

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Birmingham vs Bath

£33,200 vs £36,000

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