City Comparison · 2026

Portsmouth vs Warrington 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%

Cheshire

Warrington

Median Salary £33,500

Cost of Living 70/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £820/mo

Real Take-Home £25,500/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4.2%

Unemployment 3.8%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Warrington

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

Warrington

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

Lowest Rent

Warrington

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

Best for Career Growth

Warrington

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

Best Overall Value

Warrington

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

Top Salaries: Portsmouth vs Warrington

Portsmouth

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

Full Portsmouth Guide →

Warrington

Warrington is a major Cheshire town with a strong chemical and technology sector and excellent motorway connections for logistics.

Full Warrington Guide →

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Jobs in Portsmouth

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Jobs in Warrington

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