City Comparison · 2026

Leeds vs St Albans 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%

South East England

St Albans

Median Salary £45,000

Cost of Living 90/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,500/mo

Real Take-Home £26,500/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.5%

Unemployment 2.2%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

St Albans

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

St Albans

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

St Albans

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

Top Salaries: Leeds vs St Albans

Leeds

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

Full Leeds Guide →

St Albans

St Albans is one of the UK's most affluent towns with the highest average salaries outside London and very high living costs.

Full St Albans Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Leeds

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Live Jobs

Jobs in St Albans

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More Comparisons

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£52,800 vs £34,800

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London vs St Albans

£52,800 vs £45,000

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Manchester vs Leeds

£36,500 vs £34,800

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Manchester vs St Albans

£36,500 vs £45,000

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Birmingham vs Leeds

£33,200 vs £34,800

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Birmingham vs St Albans

£33,200 vs £45,000

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