City Comparison · 2026

Glasgow vs Southampton 2026

Scotland

Glasgow

Median Salary £35,200

Cost of Living 69/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £850/mo

Real Take-Home £25,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.1%

Unemployment 4.5%

South East England

Southampton

Median Salary £33,500

Cost of Living 72/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £900/mo

Real Take-Home £24,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4%

Unemployment 4.2%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Glasgow

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

Best for Affordability

Glasgow

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

Highest Headline Salary

Glasgow

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

Lowest Rent

Glasgow

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

Best for Career Growth

Glasgow

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

Best Overall Value

Glasgow

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

Top Salaries: Glasgow vs Southampton

Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and commercial centre with a diverse economy spanning finance, manufacturing and a growing technology sector.

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Southampton

Southampton is the UK's busiest cruise port with a strong maritime economy and two major universities driving the knowledge economy.

Full Southampton Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Glasgow

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Southampton

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