Overview
Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and commercial centre with a diverse economy spanning finance, manufacturing and a growing technology sector.
The median salary in Glasgow is £35,200 per year. With a cost of living index of 69/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £850/month, residents typically retain £25,800 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Glasgow vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Glasgow is highlighted.
London
100
Edinburgh
79
Bristol
78
Manchester
72
Leeds
70
Birmingham
68
Cardiff
66
Liverpool
65
Sheffield
63
Newcastle
61
Best Paying Jobs in Glasgow
Full city salary breakdown coming soon. Browse all UK salary guides →
Glasgow Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 69/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £850/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £25,800/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 4.1% |
| Population | 635,000 |
Top Industries in Glasgow
Finance
Healthcare
Manufacturing
Technology
Education
Major Employers in Glasgow
NHS Scotland
JPMorgan
Amazon
Barclays
University of Glasgow
Compare Glasgow with Other Cities
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk