Home / Compare / Reading vs Brighton
City Comparison · 2026

Reading vs Brighton 2026

South East England
Reading
Median Salary £42,000
Cost of Living 85/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,300/mo
Real Take-Home £27,200/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.8%
Unemployment 3%
VS
South East England
Brighton
Median Salary £36,000
Cost of Living 80/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £1,200/mo
Real Take-Home £24,800/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.2%
Unemployment 3.8%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

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

Top Salaries: Reading vs Brighton

Reading

Reading is the UK's Silicon Valley with major tech company headquarters and above-average salaries driven by its proximity to London.

Full Reading Guide →

Brighton

Brighton is the UK's creative and digital capital outside London with a thriving startup scene and strong tourism economy.

Full Brighton Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Reading

Browse live Reading vacancies on Reed right now.

Browse Reading Jobs →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Brighton

Browse live Brighton vacancies on Reed right now.

Browse Brighton Jobs →

More Comparisons

London vs Reading
£52,800 vs £42,000
Compare →
London vs Brighton
£52,800 vs £36,000
Compare →
Manchester vs Reading
£36,500 vs £42,000
Compare →
Manchester vs Brighton
£36,500 vs £36,000
Compare →
Birmingham vs Reading
£33,200 vs £42,000
Compare →
Birmingham vs Brighton
£33,200 vs £36,000
Compare →
All City Comparisons →
Scroll to Top