Accountant (Qualified) · City comparison · 2026
Bristol vs London
London wins on purchasing power. London accountant (qualified)s have £110/month more disposable income after rent than their Bristol counterparts.
Bristol salary
£43,000
£2,873/mo take-home
London salary
£58,000
£3,683/mo take-home
London wins by
+£110
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
London
After paying rent, a accountant (qualified) in London retains £110/month more than in Bristol — that's £1,320/year extra in purchasing power.
+£110
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
London
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£58,000
Net monthly
£3,683
Rent (1-bed)
£2,050
Rent-to-income
56% — High pressure
After rent
£1,633
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 75 for Bristol and 100 for London, a salary of £43,000 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £57,350 in London.
Bristol £43,000 ≈
£57,350
in London
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Bristol
30%
London
22%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Bristol
£2.85
London
£3.80
Transit (single trip)
Bristol
£1.90
London
£4.40
Gym membership
Bristol
£41/mo
London
£55/mo
Cinema ticket
Bristol
£12.00
London
£16.00
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Frequently asked questions
Does a accountant (qualified) earn more in Bristol or London? +
Bristol pays a median £43,000 vs £58,000 in London
— a gross difference of £15,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, London professionals
have £110/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 London? +
In Bristol: gross £43,000 → £2,873/month net take-home.
In London: gross £58,000 → £3,683/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,523/month
vs London's £1,633/month.
What salary in London matches Bristol purchasing power? +
Approximately £57,350 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£43,000 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of
75 (Bristol) vs 100 (London).
Is Bristol or London cheaper to live in? +
Bristol is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 75 vs 100 for London (London = 100).
Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed)
vs £2,050/month in London.
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 London the equivalent ratio is 56%.