City Comparison · 2026

Sheffield vs Swansea 2026

South Yorkshire

Sheffield

Median Salary £30,800

Cost of Living 63/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £700/mo

Real Take-Home £24,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.5%

Unemployment 4.9%

Wales

Swansea

Median Salary £29,500

Cost of Living 63/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £700/mo

Real Take-Home £23,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.5%

Unemployment 5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Sheffield

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

Best for Affordability

Sheffield

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

Highest Headline Salary

Sheffield

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

Lowest Rent

Sheffield

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

Best for Career Growth

Sheffield

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

Best Overall Value

Sheffield

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

Top Salaries: Sheffield vs Swansea

Sheffield

Sheffield has transformed from a steel city into a centre for advanced manufacturing and digital with very affordable living costs.

Full Sheffield Guide →

Swansea

Swansea is Wales's second city with a growing technology sector driven by Swansea University and major digital employers.

Full Swansea Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Sheffield

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Swansea

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Birmingham vs Sheffield

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Birmingham vs Swansea

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