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City Comparison · 2026

London vs Reading 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
South East England
Reading
Median Salary £42,000
Cost of Living 85/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,300/mo
Real Take-Home £27,200/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.8%
Unemployment 3%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary
London
Best take-home pay after accounting for rent and cost of living.
Best for Affordability
Reading
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
Reading
More affordable average rents leave more of your salary in your pocket.
Best for Career Growth
Reading
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 Reading

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 →

Reading

Reading is the UK's Silicon Valley with major tech company headquarters and above-average salaries driven by its proximity to London.

Full Reading Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in London

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Reading

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