City Comparison · 2026

Swansea vs Inverness 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%

Scottish Highlands

Inverness

Median Salary £30,000

Cost of Living 70/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £800/mo

Real Take-Home £22,800/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.5%

Unemployment 3.8%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Swansea

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

Inverness

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

Swansea

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

Top Salaries: Swansea vs Inverness

Swansea

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

Full Swansea Guide →

Inverness

Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands with strong healthcare and public sector employment and growing tourism and energy sectors.

Full Inverness Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Swansea

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Inverness

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Birmingham vs Inverness

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