Project Manager · City comparison · 2026

Aberdeen vs London

Aberdeen wins on purchasing power. Aberdeen project managers have £375/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

Aberdeen salary
£55,000
£3,396/mo take-home
London salary
£65,000
£4,021/mo take-home
Aberdeen wins by
+£375
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Aberdeen

After paying rent, a project manager in Aberdeen retains £375/month more than in London — that's £4,500/year extra in purchasing power.

+£375
per month
Aberdeen
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £55,000
Net monthly £3,396
Rent (1-bed) £1,050
Rent-to-income 31% — Comfortable
After rent £2,346
London
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £65,000
Net monthly £4,021
Rent (1-bed) £2,050
Rent-to-income 51% — High pressure
After rent £1,971

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Aberdeen London Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,050 £2,050 +95%
Transport £60 £185 +208%
Council tax £148 £165 +11%
Groceries £285 £320 +12%
Disposable income remaining £1,713 £1,159 -32%

Sources: Robert Half 2026 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 73 for Aberdeen and 100 for London, a salary of £55,000 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £75,350 in London.

Aberdeen £55,000 ≈
£75,350
in London

Income retention after all essentials

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

Aberdeen 50%
London 29%

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 project manager earn more in Aberdeen or London? +
Aberdeen pays a median £55,000 vs £65,000 in London — a gross difference of £10,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Aberdeen professionals have £375/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a project manager in Aberdeen vs London? +
In Aberdeen: gross £55,000£3,396/month net take-home. In London: gross £65,000£4,021/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Aberdeen leaves £2,346/month vs London's £1,971/month.
What salary in London matches Aberdeen purchasing power? +
Approximately £75,350 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £55,000 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 project manager in Aberdeen? +
A project manager in Aberdeen earning £55,000 takes home £3,396/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,050/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 31% (comfortable). In London the equivalent ratio is 51%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Aberdeen and London

Afford Aberdeen on £55,000? Afford London on £65,000? Salary equivalence: Aberdeen → London Standard of living: Project Manager in Aberdeen Standard of living: Project Manager in London