Accountant (Qualified) · City comparison · 2026

Bristol vs Glasgow

Glasgow wins on purchasing power. Glasgow accountant (qualified)s have £260/month more disposable income after rent than their Bristol counterparts.

Bristol salary
£43,000
£2,873/mo take-home
Glasgow salary
£40,000
£2,683/mo take-home
Glasgow wins by
+£260
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Glasgow

After paying rent, a accountant (qualified) in Glasgow retains £260/month more than in Bristol — that's £3,120/year extra in purchasing power.

+£260
per month
Bristol
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £43,000
Net monthly £2,873
Rent (1-bed) £1,350
Rent-to-income 47% — High pressure
After rent £1,523
Glasgow
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £40,000
Net monthly £2,683
Rent (1-bed) £900
Rent-to-income 34% — Stretched
After rent £1,783

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Bristol Glasgow Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,350 £900 -33%
Transport £80 £55 -31%
Council tax £148 £148 0%
Groceries £285 £265 -7%
Disposable income remaining £874 £1,185 +36%

Sources: ONS 2025 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 75 for Bristol and 62 for Glasgow, a salary of £43,000 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £35,550 in Glasgow.

Bristol £43,000 ≈
£35,550
in Glasgow

Income retention after all essentials

% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries

Bristol 30%
Glasgow 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Bristol £2.85
Glasgow £2.36
Transit (single trip)
Bristol £1.90
Glasgow £1.31
Gym membership
Bristol £41/mo
Glasgow £34/mo
Cinema ticket
Bristol £12.00
Glasgow £9.92

Financial tools

Popular products for UK earners

Best match
Amex Gold
Earn points on everyday spending
Annual fee: £140
Apply Now
Travel rewards
Barclaycard Avios
Collect Avios on every purchase
Annual fee: £0
Apply Now
Cashback
Chase UK Cashback
1% cashback, no annual fee
Annual fee: £0
Apply Now

Frequently asked questions

Does a accountant (qualified) earn more in Bristol or Glasgow? +
Bristol pays a median £43,000 vs £40,000 in Glasgow — a gross difference of £3,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Glasgow professionals have £260/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a accountant (qualified) in Bristol vs Glasgow? +
In Bristol: gross £43,000£2,873/month net take-home. In Glasgow: gross £40,000£2,683/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,523/month vs Glasgow's £1,783/month.
What salary in Glasgow matches Bristol purchasing power? +
Approximately £35,550 in Glasgow delivers equivalent purchasing power to £43,000 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of 75 (Bristol) vs 62 (Glasgow).
Is Bristol or Glasgow cheaper to live in? +
Glasgow is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 75 for Bristol (London = 100). Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Glasgow.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a accountant (qualified) in Bristol? +
A accountant (qualified) in Bristol earning £43,000 takes home £2,873/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,350/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 47% (high pressure). In Glasgow the equivalent ratio is 34%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Bristol and Glasgow

Afford Bristol on £45,000? Afford Glasgow on £40,000? Salary equivalence: Bristol → Glasgow Standard of living: Accountant (Qualified) in Bristol Standard of living: Accountant (Qualified) in Glasgow