DevOps Engineer · City comparison · 2026

Birmingham vs Nottingham

Q: Does a devops engineer earn more in Birmingham or Nottingham?

Birmingham pays £58,000 vs £54,000 in Nottingham. After living costs, Birmingham professionals have £193/month more disposable income.

Q: What is the take-home pay for a devops engineer in Birmingham vs Nottingham?

In Birmingham: £3,683/month net. In Nottingham: £3,490/month net. After rent, Birmingham leaves £2,833/month vs Nottingham's £2,640/month.

Q: What salary in Nottingham matches Birmingham purchasing power?

Approximately £56,200 in Nottingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £58,000 in Birmingham, based on a COL index of 65 vs 63.

Q: Is Birmingham or Nottingham cheaper to live in?

Nottingham is cheaper (COL 63 vs 65). Rent: Birmingham £850/mo vs Nottingham £850/mo.

Q: What is the rent-to-income ratio for a devops engineer in Birmingham?

A devops engineer in Birmingham has a rent-to-income ratio of 23% (comfortable). In Nottingham the equivalent is 24%.

Birmingham wins on purchasing power. Birmingham devops engineers have £193/month more disposable income after rent than their Nottingham counterparts.

Birmingham salary

£58,000

£3,683/mo take-home

Nottingham salary

£54,000

£3,490/mo take-home

Birmingham wins by

+£193

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Birmingham

After paying rent, a devops engineer in Birmingham retains £193/month more than in Nottingham — that's £2,316/year extra in purchasing power.

+£193

per month

Birmingham

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Gross salary £58,000

Net monthly £3,683

Rent (1-bed) £850

Rent-to-income 23% — Comfortable

After rent £2,833

Nottingham

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £54,000

Net monthly £3,490

Rent (1-bed) £850

Rent-to-income 24% — Comfortable

After rent £2,640

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Birmingham	Nottingham	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£850	£850	0%
Transport	£65	£58	-11%
Council tax	£118	£118	0%
Groceries	£265	£260	-2%
Disposable income remaining	£2,245	£2,071	-8%

Sources: LinkedIn 2025 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 65 for Birmingham and 63 for Nottingham, a salary of £58,000 in Birmingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £56,200 in Nottingham.

Birmingham £58,000 ≈

£56,200

in Nottingham

Income retention after all essentials

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

Birmingham 61%

Nottingham 59%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Birmingham £2.47

Nottingham £2.39

Transit (single trip)

Birmingham £1.55

Nottingham £1.38

Gym membership

Birmingham £36/mo

Nottingham £35/mo

Cinema ticket

Birmingham £10.40

Nottingham £10.08

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a devops engineer earn more in Birmingham or Nottingham? +

Birmingham pays a median £58,000 vs £54,000 in Nottingham — a gross difference of £4,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Birmingham professionals have £193/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.

What is the take-home pay for a devops engineer in Birmingham vs Nottingham? +

In Birmingham: gross £58,000 → £3,683/month net take-home. In Nottingham: gross £54,000 → £3,490/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Birmingham leaves £2,833/month vs Nottingham's £2,640/month.

What salary in Nottingham matches Birmingham purchasing power? +

Approximately £56,200 in Nottingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £58,000 in Birmingham, based on a cost-of-living index of 65 (Birmingham) vs 63 (Nottingham).

Is Birmingham or Nottingham cheaper to live in? +

Nottingham is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 65 for Birmingham (London = 100). Rent in Birmingham averages £850/month (1-bed) vs £850/month in Nottingham.

What is the rent-to-income ratio for a devops engineer in Birmingham? +

A devops engineer in Birmingham earning £58,000 takes home £3,683/month. With median 1-bed rent of £850/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 23% (comfortable). In Nottingham the equivalent ratio is 24%.