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City Comparison · 2026

Edinburgh vs Reading 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
Reading
Median Salary £42,000
Cost of Living 85/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,300/mo
Real Take-Home £27,200/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.8%
Unemployment 3%
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
Reading
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
Reading
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 Reading

Edinburgh

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

Full Edinburgh Guide →

Reading

Reading is the UK's Silicon Valley with major tech company headquarters and above-average salaries driven by its proximity to London.

Full Reading Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Edinburgh

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Reading

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