City Comparison · 2026

Wolverhampton vs Sunderland 2026

West Midlands

Wolverhampton

Median Salary £28,800

Cost of Living 62/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £660/mo

Real Take-Home £22,600/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.4%

Unemployment 5.9%

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%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

Wolverhampton

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

Wolverhampton

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

Wolverhampton

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

Best Overall Value

Wolverhampton

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

Top Salaries: Wolverhampton vs Sunderland

Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton is a major West Midlands city with a strong manufacturing base and significant investment in regeneration.

Full Wolverhampton Guide →

Sunderland

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

Full Sunderland Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in Wolverhampton

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Sunderland

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