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City Comparison · 2026

Sunderland vs Preston 2026

North East England
Sunderland
Median Salary £27,800
Cost of Living 58/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £580/mo
Real Take-Home £22,600/yr
Job Growth ↑ 3%
Unemployment 6.2%
VS
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%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

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

Top Salaries: Sunderland vs Preston

Sunderland

Sunderland is home to Nissan's largest European plant and has a growing digital and technology sector driven by major investment.

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Preston

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

Full Preston Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Sunderland

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Jobs in Preston

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