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City Comparison · 2026

Portsmouth vs Bath 2026

South East England
Portsmouth
Median Salary £31,500
Cost of Living 70/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £850/mo
Real Take-Home £23,800/yr
Job Growth ↑ 3.6%
Unemployment 4.5%
VS
South West England
Bath
Median Salary £36,000
Cost of Living 82/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,200/mo
Real Take-Home £24,000/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4%
Unemployment 3%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

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

Top Salaries: Portsmouth vs Bath

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a major naval base and maritime city with significant defence industry employment and two universities.

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Bath

Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage City with a thriving technology and creative sector anchored by the University of Bath.

Full Bath Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Portsmouth

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Jobs in Bath

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