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City Comparison · 2026

Leeds vs Chelmsford 2026

West Yorkshire
Leeds
Median Salary £34,800
Cost of Living 70/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £850/mo
Real Take-Home £25,600/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.7%
Unemployment 4.3%
VS
East of England
Chelmsford
Median Salary £35,000
Cost of Living 78/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,100/mo
Real Take-Home £24,200/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4%
Unemployment 3.5%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

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

Top Salaries: Leeds vs Chelmsford

Leeds

Leeds is the largest city in Yorkshire and a major financial centre with a rapidly growing digital and creative economy.

Full Leeds Guide →

Chelmsford

Chelmsford is a major commuter city for London with strong professional services and technology sectors.

Full Chelmsford Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Leeds

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Jobs in Chelmsford

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