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City Comparison · 2026

Leeds vs Sheffield 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
South Yorkshire
Sheffield
Median Salary £30,800
Cost of Living 63/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £700/mo
Real Take-Home £24,200/yr
Job Growth ↑ 3.5%
Unemployment 4.9%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary
Leeds
Best take-home pay after accounting for rent and cost of living.
Best for Affordability
Sheffield
Lower cost of living index means your money goes further every day.
Highest Headline Salary
Leeds
Higher median salary before cost of living is taken into account.
Lowest Rent
Sheffield
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 Sheffield

Leeds

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

Full Leeds Guide →

Sheffield

Sheffield has transformed from a steel city into a centre for advanced manufacturing and digital with very affordable living costs.

Full Sheffield Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Leeds

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Jobs in Sheffield

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