Overview
Leeds is the largest city in Yorkshire and a major financial centre with a rapidly growing digital and creative economy.
The median salary in Leeds is £34,800 per year. With a cost of living index of 70/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £850/month, residents typically retain £25,600 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Leeds vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Leeds 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 Leeds
| Job Title | Avg in Leeds | UK Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | £175,000 | £180,000 | |
| Chief Technology Officer | £165,000 | £170,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £155,000 | £160,000 | |
| Chief Operating Officer | £150,000 | £155,000 | |
| Chief Financial Officer | £140,000 | £145,000 | |
| Chief Marketing Officer | £140,000 | £145,000 | |
| Consultant Doctor | £121,000 | £120,000 | |
| Managing Director | £120,000 | £125,000 |
Leeds Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £34,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 70/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £850/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £25,600/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 4.7% |
| Population | 800,000 |
Top Industries in Leeds
Finance
Retail
Healthcare
Legal
Digital
Major Employers in Leeds
Asda
Channel 4
NHS
Lloyds
Sky
KPMG
Compare Leeds with Other Cities
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk