City Comparison · 2026

Stoke-on-Trent vs Stockport 2026

Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent

Median Salary £27,500

Cost of Living 58/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £600/mo

Real Take-Home £22,400/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3%

Unemployment 6.2%

Greater Manchester

Stockport

Median Salary £32,000

Cost of Living 68/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £780/mo

Real Take-Home £24,500/yr

Job Growth ↑ 4%

Unemployment 4.2%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Stockport

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

Best for Affordability

Stoke-on-Trent

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

Highest Headline Salary

Stockport

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

Lowest Rent

Stoke-on-Trent

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

Best for Career Growth

Stockport

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

Best Overall Value

Stockport

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

Top Salaries: Stoke-on-Trent vs Stockport

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent is undergoing regeneration with bet365 as a major employer and growing logistics and manufacturing sectors.

Full Stoke-on-Trent Guide →

Stockport

Stockport is a prosperous town in Greater Manchester with above-average salaries and strong professional services employment.

Full Stockport Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Stoke-on-Trent

Browse live Stoke-on-Trent vacancies on Reed right now.

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Stockport

Browse live Stockport vacancies on Reed right now.

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More Comparisons

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Manchester vs Stockport

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Birmingham vs Stoke-on-Trent

£33,200 vs £27,500

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