Data Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Manchester vs Sheffield
Manchester wins on purchasing power. Manchester data analysts have £15/month more disposable income after rent than their Sheffield counterparts.
Manchester salary
£42,000
£2,813/mo take-home
Sheffield salary
£38,000
£2,573/mo take-home
Manchester wins by
+£15
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Manchester
After paying rent, a data analyst in Manchester retains £15/month more than in Sheffield — that's £180/year extra in purchasing power.
+£15
per month
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
Sheffield
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£38,000
Net monthly
£2,573
Rent (1-bed)
£825
Rent-to-income
32% — Comfortable
After rent
£1,748
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 68 for Manchester and 63 for Sheffield, a salary of £42,000 in Manchester delivers equivalent purchasing power to £38,900 in Sheffield.
Manchester £42,000 ≈
£38,900
in Sheffield
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Manchester
40%
Sheffield
45%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Manchester
£2.58
Sheffield
£2.39
Transit (single trip)
Manchester
£1.79
Sheffield
£1.55
Gym membership
Manchester
£37/mo
Sheffield
£35/mo
Cinema ticket
Manchester
£10.88
Sheffield
£10.08
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Frequently asked questions
Does a data analyst earn more in Manchester or Sheffield? +
Manchester pays a median £42,000 vs £38,000 in Sheffield
— a gross difference of £4,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Manchester professionals
have £15/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a data analyst in Manchester vs Sheffield? +
In Manchester: gross £42,000 → £2,813/month net take-home.
In Sheffield: gross £38,000 → £2,573/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Manchester leaves £1,763/month
vs Sheffield's £1,748/month.
What salary in Sheffield matches Manchester purchasing power? +
Approximately £38,900 in Sheffield delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£42,000 in Manchester, based on a cost-of-living index of
68 (Manchester) vs 63 (Sheffield).
Is Manchester or Sheffield cheaper to live in? +
Sheffield is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 68 for Manchester (London = 100).
Rent in Manchester averages £1,050/month (1-bed)
vs £825/month in Sheffield.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a data analyst in Manchester? +
A data analyst in Manchester earning £42,000 takes home
£2,813/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,050/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 37%
(stretched).
In Sheffield the equivalent ratio is 32%.