City Comparison · 2026

Nottingham vs Brighton 2026

East Midlands

Nottingham

Median Salary £30,200

Cost of Living 64/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £720/mo

Real Take-Home £23,700/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.4%

Unemployment 5.2%

South East England

Brighton

Median Salary £36,000

Cost of Living 80/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,200/mo

Real Take-Home £24,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.2%

Unemployment 3.8%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Brighton

Best take-home pay after accounting for rent and cost of living.

Best for Affordability

Nottingham

Lower cost of living index means your money goes further every day.

Highest Headline Salary

Brighton

Higher median salary before cost of living is taken into account.

Lowest Rent

Nottingham

More affordable average rents leave more of your salary in your pocket.

Best for Career Growth

Brighton

Higher job growth rate and more active job market for ambitious professionals.

Best Overall Value

Brighton

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

Top Salaries: Nottingham vs Brighton

Nottingham

Nottingham is a major retail and education centre in the East Midlands with growing bioscience and digital sectors.

Full Nottingham Guide →

Brighton

Brighton is the UK's creative and digital capital outside London with a thriving startup scene and strong tourism economy.

Full Brighton Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Nottingham

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Brighton

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More Comparisons

London vs Nottingham

£52,800 vs £30,200

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London vs Brighton

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Manchester vs Nottingham

£36,500 vs £30,200

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Manchester vs Brighton

£36,500 vs £36,000

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Birmingham vs Nottingham

£33,200 vs £30,200

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Birmingham vs Brighton

£33,200 vs £36,000

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