Software Engineer · City comparison · 2026
Glasgow vs Bristol
Glasgow wins on purchasing power. Glasgow software engineers have £23/month more disposable income after rent than their Bristol counterparts.
Glasgow salary
£52,000
£3,256/mo take-home
Bristol salary
£58,000
£3,683/mo take-home
Glasgow wins by
+£23
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Glasgow
After paying rent, a software engineer in Glasgow retains £23/month more than in Bristol — that's £276/year extra in purchasing power.
+£23
per month
Glasgow
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£52,000
Net monthly
£3,256
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
28% — Comfortable
After rent
£2,356
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
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 62 for Glasgow and 75 for Bristol, a salary of £52,000 in Glasgow delivers equivalent purchasing power to £62,900 in Bristol.
Glasgow £52,000 ≈
£62,900
in Bristol
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Glasgow
54%
Bristol
46%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Glasgow
£2.36
Bristol
£2.85
Transit (single trip)
Glasgow
£1.31
Bristol
£1.90
Gym membership
Glasgow
£34/mo
Bristol
£41/mo
Cinema ticket
Glasgow
£9.92
Bristol
£12.00
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Frequently asked questions
Does a software engineer earn more in Glasgow or Bristol? +
Glasgow pays a median £52,000 vs £58,000 in Bristol
— a gross difference of £6,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Glasgow 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 Glasgow vs Bristol? +
In Glasgow: gross £52,000 → £3,256/month net take-home.
In Bristol: gross £58,000 → £3,683/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Glasgow leaves £2,356/month
vs Bristol's £2,333/month.
What salary in Bristol matches Glasgow purchasing power? +
Approximately £62,900 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£52,000 in Glasgow, based on a cost-of-living index of
62 (Glasgow) vs 75 (Bristol).
Is Glasgow or Bristol cheaper to live in? +
Glasgow is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 75 for Bristol (London = 100).
Rent in Glasgow averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £1,350/month in Bristol.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a software engineer in Glasgow? +
A software engineer in Glasgow earning £52,000 takes home
£3,256/month. With median 1-bed rent of £900/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 28%
(comfortable).
In Bristol the equivalent ratio is 37%.