Data Scientist · City comparison · 2026
Aberdeen vs London
London wins on purchasing power. London data scientists have £85/month more disposable income after rent than their Aberdeen counterparts.
Aberdeen salary
£48,000
£3,081/mo take-home
London salary
£68,000
£4,166/mo take-home
London wins by
+£85
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
London
After paying rent, a data scientist in London retains £85/month more than in Aberdeen — that's £1,020/year extra in purchasing power.
+£85
per month
Aberdeen
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£48,000
Net monthly
£3,081
Rent (1-bed)
£1,050
Rent-to-income
34% — Stretched
After rent
£2,031
London
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£68,000
Net monthly
£4,166
Rent (1-bed)
£2,050
Rent-to-income
49% — High pressure
After rent
£2,116
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 73 for Aberdeen and 100 for London, a salary of £48,000 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £65,750 in London.
Aberdeen £48,000 ≈
£65,750
in London
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Aberdeen
45%
London
31%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Aberdeen
£2.77
London
£3.80
Transit (single trip)
Aberdeen
£1.43
London
£4.40
Gym membership
Aberdeen
£40/mo
London
£55/mo
Cinema ticket
Aberdeen
£11.68
London
£16.00
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Frequently asked questions
Does a data scientist earn more in Aberdeen or London? +
Aberdeen pays a median £48,000 vs £68,000 in London
— a gross difference of £20,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, London professionals
have £85/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a data scientist in Aberdeen vs London? +
In Aberdeen: gross £48,000 → £3,081/month net take-home.
In London: gross £68,000 → £4,166/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Aberdeen leaves £2,031/month
vs London's £2,116/month.
What salary in London matches Aberdeen purchasing power? +
Approximately £65,750 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£48,000 in Aberdeen, based on a cost-of-living index of
73 (Aberdeen) vs 100 (London).
Is Aberdeen or London cheaper to live in? +
Aberdeen is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 73 vs 100 for London (London = 100).
Rent in Aberdeen averages £1,050/month (1-bed)
vs £2,050/month in London.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a data scientist in Aberdeen? +
A data scientist in Aberdeen earning £48,000 takes home
£3,081/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,050/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 34%
(stretched).
In London the equivalent ratio is 49%.