City Comparison · 2026

Swansea vs Aberdeen 2026

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%

Scotland

Aberdeen

Median Salary £40,000

Cost of Living 76/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £900/mo

Real Take-Home £28,200/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.2%

Unemployment 3.5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Aberdeen

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

Best for Affordability

Swansea

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

Highest Headline Salary

Aberdeen

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

Lowest Rent

Swansea

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

Best for Career Growth

Swansea

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

Best Overall Value

Aberdeen

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

Top Salaries: Swansea vs Aberdeen

Swansea

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

Full Swansea Guide →

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is the oil capital of Europe with above-average salaries driven by the energy sector despite a challenging transition period.

Full Aberdeen Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Swansea

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Jobs in Aberdeen

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