Software Engineer · City comparison · 2026
Bristol vs London
Bristol wins on purchasing power. Bristol software engineers have £23/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.
Bristol salary
£58,000
£3,683/mo take-home
London salary
£72,000
£4,360/mo take-home
Bristol wins by
+£23
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Bristol
After paying rent, a software engineer in Bristol retains £23/month more than in London — that's £276/year extra in purchasing power.
+£23
per month
Bristol
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£58,000
Net monthly
£3,683
Rent (1-bed)
£1,350
Rent-to-income
37% — Stretched
After rent
£2,333
London
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£72,000
Net monthly
£4,360
Rent (1-bed)
£2,050
Rent-to-income
47% — High pressure
After rent
£2,310
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 75 for Bristol and 100 for London, a salary of £58,000 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £77,350 in London.
Bristol £58,000 ≈
£77,350
in London
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Bristol
46%
London
34%
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 software engineer earn more in Bristol or London? +
Bristol pays a median £58,000 vs £72,000 in London
— a gross difference of £14,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Bristol professionals
have £23/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a software engineer in Bristol vs London? +
In Bristol: gross £58,000 → £3,683/month net take-home.
In London: gross £72,000 → £4,360/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £2,333/month
vs London's £2,310/month.
What salary in London matches Bristol purchasing power? +
Approximately £77,350 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£58,000 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 software engineer in Bristol? +
A software engineer in Bristol earning £58,000 takes home
£3,683/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,350/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 37%
(stretched).
In London the equivalent ratio is 47%.