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City Comparison · 2026

Peterborough vs Chelmsford 2026

East of England
Peterborough
Median Salary £30,500
Cost of Living 67/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £800/mo
Real Take-Home £23,500/yr
Job Growth ↑ 3.8%
Unemployment 4.8%
VS
East of England
Chelmsford
Median Salary £35,000
Cost of Living 78/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,100/mo
Real Take-Home £24,200/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4%
Unemployment 3.5%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

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

Top Salaries: Peterborough vs Chelmsford

Peterborough

Peterborough is a major logistics and distribution hub with excellent road and rail connections to London.

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Chelmsford

Chelmsford is a major commuter city for London with strong professional services and technology sectors.

Full Chelmsford Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Peterborough

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Chelmsford

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