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City Comparison · 2026

London vs Bolton 2026

Greater London
London
Median Salary £52,800
Cost of Living 100/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £2,100/mo
Real Take-Home £28,400/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.2%
Unemployment 3.8%
VS
Greater Manchester
Bolton
Median Salary £29,500
Cost of Living 63/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £680/mo
Real Take-Home £23,100/yr
Job Growth ↑ 3.2%
Unemployment 5%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

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

Top Salaries: London vs Bolton

London

London is the UK's financial and economic capital, offering the highest salaries of any UK city but also the highest cost of living.

Full London Guide →

Bolton

Bolton is a major town in Greater Manchester with strong manufacturing roots and growing digital and professional services sectors.

Full Bolton Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in London

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Bolton

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