City Comparison · 2026

Southampton vs Brighton 2026

South East England

Southampton

Median Salary £33,500

Cost of Living 72/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £900/mo

Real Take-Home £24,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4%

Unemployment 4.2%

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

Southampton

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

Best for Affordability

Southampton

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

Highest Headline Salary

Brighton

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

Lowest Rent

Southampton

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

Best for Career Growth

Brighton

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

Best Overall Value

Southampton

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

Top Salaries: Southampton vs Brighton

Southampton

Southampton is the UK's busiest cruise port with a strong maritime economy and two major universities driving the knowledge economy.

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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 Southampton

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Brighton

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