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City Comparison · 2026

Edinburgh vs Guildford 2026

Scotland
Edinburgh
Median Salary £38,900
Cost of Living 79/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,050/mo
Real Take-Home £27,500/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.5%
Unemployment 3.2%
VS
South East England
Guildford
Median Salary £42,000
Cost of Living 88/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,400/mo
Real Take-Home £25,400/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.2%
Unemployment 2.5%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary
Edinburgh
Best take-home pay after accounting for rent and cost of living.
Best for Affordability
Edinburgh
Lower cost of living index means your money goes further every day.
Highest Headline Salary
Guildford
Higher median salary before cost of living is taken into account.
Lowest Rent
Edinburgh
More affordable average rents leave more of your salary in your pocket.
Best for Career Growth
Edinburgh
Higher job growth rate and more active job market for ambitious professionals.
Best Overall Value
Edinburgh
When salary, cost of living and rent are all considered together.

Top Salaries: Edinburgh vs Guildford

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and financial centre with above-average UK salaries and a thriving technology and fintech scene.

Full Edinburgh Guide →

Guildford

Guildford is one of the UK's most prosperous towns with a strong technology and gaming sector near London.

Full Guildford Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Edinburgh

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Guildford

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