Data Analyst · City comparison · 2026

Brighton vs Cambridge

Cambridge wins on purchasing power. Cambridge data analysts have £433/month more disposable income after rent than their Brighton counterparts.

Brighton salary
£46,000
£3,053/mo take-home
Cambridge salary
£56,000
£3,586/mo take-home
Cambridge wins by
+£433
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Cambridge

After paying rent, a data analyst in Cambridge retains £433/month more than in Brighton — that's £5,196/year extra in purchasing power.

+£433
per month
Brighton
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £46,000
Net monthly £3,053
Rent (1-bed) £1,400
Rent-to-income 46% — High pressure
After rent £1,653
Cambridge
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £56,000
Net monthly £3,586
Rent (1-bed) £1,500
Rent-to-income 42% — Stretched
After rent £2,086

Brighton vs Cambridge: what the £433/month gap means for a data analyst

On paper, Brighton data analyst roles pay £10,000/year less than Cambridge. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Brighton workers keep £3,053/month versus £3,586/month in Cambridge.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Brighton rent runs £1,400/month versus £1,500/month in Cambridge. Once housing costs are factored in, Cambridge workers have £2,086/month disposable income versus £1,653/month in Brighton — that is £5,196/year in real spending power.

Cambridge's rent-to-income ratio of 42% compares favourably to Brighton's 46%.

For data analysts prioritising financial freedom, Cambridge delivers significantly more disposable income despite comparable gross pay.

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Brighton Cambridge Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,400 £1,500 +7%
Transport £80 £75 -6%
Council tax £155 £155 0%
Groceries £295 £300 +2%
Disposable income remaining £983 £1,416 +44%

Sources: ONS ASHE 2025 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 82 for Brighton and 87 for Cambridge, a salary of £46,000 in Brighton delivers equivalent purchasing power to £48,800 in Cambridge.

Brighton £46,000 ≈
£48,800
in Cambridge

Income retention after all essentials

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

Brighton 32%
Cambridge 39%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Brighton £3.12
Cambridge £3.31
Transit (single trip)
Brighton £1.90
Cambridge £1.79
Gym membership
Brighton £45/mo
Cambridge £48/mo
Cinema ticket
Brighton £13.12
Cambridge £13.92

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Frequently asked questions

Does a data analyst earn more in Brighton or Cambridge? +
Brighton pays a median £46,000 vs £56,000 in Cambridge — a gross difference of £10,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Cambridge professionals have £433/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a data analyst in Brighton vs Cambridge? +
In Brighton: gross £46,000£3,053/month net take-home. In Cambridge: gross £56,000£3,586/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Brighton leaves £1,653/month vs Cambridge's £2,086/month.
What salary in Cambridge matches Brighton purchasing power? +
Approximately £48,800 in Cambridge delivers equivalent purchasing power to £46,000 in Brighton, based on a cost-of-living index of 82 (Brighton) vs 87 (Cambridge).
Is Brighton or Cambridge cheaper to live in? +
Brighton is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 82 vs 87 for Cambridge (London = 100). Rent in Brighton averages £1,400/month (1-bed) vs £1,500/month in Cambridge.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a data analyst in Brighton? +
A data analyst in Brighton earning £46,000 takes home £3,053/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,400/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 46% (high pressure). In Cambridge the equivalent ratio is 42%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Brighton and Cambridge

Afford Brighton on £45,000? Afford Cambridge on £55,000? Salary equivalence: Brighton → Cambridge Standard of living: Data Analyst in Brighton Standard of living: Data Analyst in Cambridge

Data sources & methodology

ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Tracker Q1 2026 · Numbeo Cost of Living 2026

Analysis by the SalaryDex data team · May 2026 · Corrections: [email protected] · Full methodology · Data transparency pledge