Data Analyst · City comparison · 2026

Cambridge vs Glasgow

Cambridge wins on purchasing power. Cambridge data analysts have £303/month more disposable income after rent than their Glasgow counterparts.

Cambridge salary
£56,000
£3,586/mo take-home
Glasgow salary
£40,000
£2,683/mo take-home
Cambridge wins by
+£303
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Cambridge

After paying rent, a data analyst in Cambridge retains £303/month more than in Glasgow — that's £3,636/year extra in purchasing power.

+£303
per month
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
Glasgow
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £40,000
Net monthly £2,683
Rent (1-bed) £900
Rent-to-income 34% — Stretched
After rent £1,783

Cambridge vs Glasgow: what the £303/month gap means for a data analyst

On paper, Cambridge data analyst roles pay £16,000/year more than Glasgow. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Cambridge workers keep £3,586/month versus £2,683/month in Glasgow.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Cambridge rent runs £1,500/month versus £900/month in Glasgow. Once housing costs are factored in, Cambridge workers have £2,086/month disposable income versus £1,783/month in Glasgow — that is £3,636/year in real spending power.

Cambridge's rent-to-income ratio of 42% compares favourably to Glasgow's 34%.

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 Cambridge Glasgow Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,500 £900 -40%
Transport £75 £55 -27%
Council tax £155 £148 -5%
Groceries £300 £265 -12%
Disposable income remaining £1,416 £1,185 -16%

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

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 87 for Cambridge and 62 for Glasgow, a salary of £56,000 in Cambridge delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,900 in Glasgow.

Cambridge £56,000 ≈
£39,900
in Glasgow

Income retention after all essentials

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

Cambridge 39%
Glasgow 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Cambridge £3.31
Glasgow £2.36
Transit (single trip)
Cambridge £1.79
Glasgow £1.31
Gym membership
Cambridge £48/mo
Glasgow £34/mo
Cinema ticket
Cambridge £13.92
Glasgow £9.92

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Frequently asked questions

Does a data analyst earn more in Cambridge or Glasgow? +
Cambridge pays a median £56,000 vs £40,000 in Glasgow — a gross difference of £16,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Cambridge professionals have £303/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a data analyst in Cambridge vs Glasgow? +
In Cambridge: gross £56,000£3,586/month net take-home. In Glasgow: gross £40,000£2,683/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Cambridge leaves £2,086/month vs Glasgow's £1,783/month.
What salary in Glasgow matches Cambridge purchasing power? +
Approximately £39,900 in Glasgow delivers equivalent purchasing power to £56,000 in Cambridge, based on a cost-of-living index of 87 (Cambridge) vs 62 (Glasgow).
Is Cambridge or Glasgow cheaper to live in? +
Glasgow is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 87 for Cambridge (London = 100). Rent in Cambridge averages £1,500/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Glasgow.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a data analyst in Cambridge? +
A data analyst in Cambridge earning £56,000 takes home £3,586/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,500/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 42% (stretched). In Glasgow the equivalent ratio is 34%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Cambridge and Glasgow

Afford Cambridge on £55,000? Afford Glasgow on £40,000? Salary equivalence: Cambridge → Glasgow Standard of living: Data Analyst in Cambridge Standard of living: Data Analyst in Glasgow

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