City Comparison · 2026

Preston vs Warrington 2026

Lancashire

Preston

Median Salary £29,500

Cost of Living 63/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £680/mo

Real Take-Home £23,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.5%

Unemployment 5.2%

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

Preston

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

Preston

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: Preston vs Warrington

Preston

Preston is a major Lancashire city with significant aerospace and manufacturing employment driven by BAE Systems.

Full Preston Guide →

Warrington

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

Full Warrington Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Preston

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Warrington

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Manchester vs Preston

£36,500 vs £29,500

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Manchester vs Warrington

£36,500 vs £33,500

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Birmingham vs Preston

£33,200 vs £29,500

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Edinburgh vs Preston

£38,900 vs £29,500

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