Data Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Glasgow vs Manchester
Glasgow wins on purchasing power. Glasgow data analysts have £20/month more disposable income after rent than their Manchester counterparts.
Glasgow salary
£40,000
£2,683/mo take-home
Manchester salary
£42,000
£2,813/mo take-home
Glasgow wins by
+£20
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Glasgow
After paying rent, a data analyst in Glasgow retains £20/month more than in Manchester — that's £240/year extra in purchasing power.
+£20
per month
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
Manchester
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£42,000
Net monthly
£2,813
Rent (1-bed)
£1,050
Rent-to-income
37% — Stretched
After rent
£1,763
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 62 for Glasgow and 68 for Manchester, a salary of £40,000 in Glasgow delivers equivalent purchasing power to £43,850 in Manchester.
Glasgow £40,000 ≈
£43,850
in Manchester
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Glasgow
44%
Manchester
40%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Glasgow
£2.36
Manchester
£2.58
Transit (single trip)
Glasgow
£1.31
Manchester
£1.79
Gym membership
Glasgow
£34/mo
Manchester
£37/mo
Cinema ticket
Glasgow
£9.92
Manchester
£10.88
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Frequently asked questions
Does a data analyst earn more in Glasgow or Manchester? +
Glasgow pays a median £40,000 vs £42,000 in Manchester
— a gross difference of £2,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Glasgow professionals
have £20/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a data analyst in Glasgow vs Manchester? +
In Glasgow: gross £40,000 → £2,683/month net take-home.
In Manchester: gross £42,000 → £2,813/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Glasgow leaves £1,783/month
vs Manchester's £1,763/month.
What salary in Manchester matches Glasgow purchasing power? +
Approximately £43,850 in Manchester delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£40,000 in Glasgow, based on a cost-of-living index of
62 (Glasgow) vs 68 (Manchester).
Is Glasgow or Manchester cheaper to live in? +
Glasgow is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 68 for Manchester (London = 100).
Rent in Glasgow averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £1,050/month in Manchester.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a data analyst in Glasgow? +
A data analyst in Glasgow earning £40,000 takes home
£2,683/month. With median 1-bed rent of £900/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 34%
(stretched).
In Manchester the equivalent ratio is 37%.