City Comparison · 2026

Nottingham vs Watford 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

Watford

Median Salary £38,500

Cost of Living 83/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,250/mo

Real Take-Home £24,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4%

Unemployment 3.2%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Watford

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

Watford

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

Watford

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

Best Overall Value

Watford

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

Top Salaries: Nottingham vs Watford

Nottingham

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

Full Nottingham Guide →

Watford

Watford is a major retail and media hub in Hertfordshire with excellent London transport links driving strong employment.

Full Watford Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Nottingham

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Jobs in Watford

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£52,800 vs £30,200

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£36,500 vs £30,200

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Manchester vs Watford

£36,500 vs £38,500

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Birmingham vs Nottingham

£33,200 vs £30,200

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Birmingham vs Watford

£33,200 vs £38,500

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