Which UK city can you actually afford?
Pick two cities and see rent, salaries, take-home pay and disposable income side-by-side — so you know where your money goes further.
London
Global financial hub. Highest salaries, highest costs.
StretchedRent takes 67% of take-home
Manchester
UK's northern powerhouse. Strong tech, media and finance scene.
ManageableRent takes 39% of take-home
Side-by-side breakdown
Typical salary
City average, gross
Monthly take-home
After tax & NI
1-bed rent
City centre average
2-bed rent
City centre average
Council tax
Band D, monthly est.
Disposable income
After rent, tax & commute
Avg house price
To buy
💡 Bottom line
On a typical city salary, Manchester leaves you £573 more per month after rent, council tax, and commuting than London — even accounting for the salary difference.
Based on city-average salaries. Green highlights show the better value in each row. Edinburgh figures use Scottish income tax rates.