City Comparison · 2026

York vs Bolton 2026

North Yorkshire

York

Median Salary £31,000

Cost of Living 70/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £900/mo

Real Take-Home £23,400/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.8%

Unemployment 3.5%

Greater Manchester

Bolton

Median Salary £29,500

Cost of Living 63/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £680/mo

Real Take-Home £23,100/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3.2%

Unemployment 5%

Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary

York

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

Best for Affordability

Bolton

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

Highest Headline Salary

York

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

Lowest Rent

Bolton

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

Best for Career Growth

York

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

Best Overall Value

York

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

Top Salaries: York vs Bolton

York

York is a historic city with a strong professional services and financial sector alongside significant tourism and chocolate manufacturing heritage.

Full York Guide →

Bolton

Bolton is a major town in Greater Manchester with strong manufacturing roots and growing digital and professional services sectors.

Full Bolton Guide →

Live Jobs

Jobs in York

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Bolton

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London vs York

£52,800 vs £31,000

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£52,800 vs £29,500

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Manchester vs York

£36,500 vs £31,000

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Manchester vs Bolton

£36,500 vs £29,500

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Birmingham vs York

£33,200 vs £31,000

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Birmingham vs Bolton

£33,200 vs £29,500

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