City Comparison · 2026

Edinburgh vs Leicester 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%

East Midlands

Leicester

Median Salary £30,500

Cost of Living 65/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £730/mo

Real Take-Home £23,900/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.6%

Unemployment 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

Leicester

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

Highest Headline Salary

Edinburgh

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

Lowest Rent

Leicester

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 Leicester

Edinburgh

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

Full Edinburgh Guide →

Leicester

Leicester is one of the UK's most diverse cities with a strong manufacturing base and growing retail and education sectors.

Full Leicester Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Edinburgh

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Leicester

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More Comparisons

London vs Edinburgh

£52,800 vs £38,900

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London vs Leicester

£52,800 vs £30,500

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Manchester vs Edinburgh

£36,500 vs £38,900

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Manchester vs Leicester

£36,500 vs £30,500

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Birmingham vs Edinburgh

£33,200 vs £38,900

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Birmingham vs Leicester

£33,200 vs £30,500

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All City Comparisons →