Overview
Preston is a major Lancashire city with significant aerospace and manufacturing employment driven by BAE Systems.
The median salary in Preston is £29,500 per year. With a cost of living index of 63/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £680/month, residents typically retain £23,200 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Preston vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Preston 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 Preston
Full city salary breakdown coming soon. Browse all UK salary guides →
Preston Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £29,500 |
| Cost of Living Index | 63/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £680/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £23,200/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 3.5% |
| Population | 314,000 |
Top Industries in Preston
Healthcare
Aerospace
Retail
Education
Public Sector
Major Employers in Preston
NHS
BAE Systems
Preston City Council
University of Central Lancashire
Compare Preston with Other Cities
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk