City Comparison · 2026

Plymouth vs Gloucester 2026

South West England

Plymouth

Median Salary £28,500

Cost of Living 65/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £750/mo

Real Take-Home £22,400/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.2%

Unemployment 5.2%

South West England

Gloucester

Median Salary £30,500

Cost of Living 68/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £800/mo

Real Take-Home £23,500/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.8%

Unemployment 4.5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Gloucester

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

Best for Affordability

Plymouth

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

Highest Headline Salary

Gloucester

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

Lowest Rent

Plymouth

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

Best for Career Growth

Gloucester

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

Best Overall Value

Gloucester

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

Top Salaries: Plymouth vs Gloucester

Plymouth

Plymouth is a major naval base and maritime city with strong defence industry employment and a growing digital sector.

Full Plymouth Guide →

Gloucester

Gloucester is home to GCHQ and has a strong aerospace and defence cluster alongside growing financial services.

Full Gloucester Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Plymouth

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Jobs in Gloucester

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