Financial Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Edinburgh vs Leeds
Leeds wins on purchasing power. Leeds financial analysts have £84/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.
Edinburgh salary
£54,000
£3,349/mo take-home
Leeds salary
£49,000
£3,233/mo take-home
Leeds wins by
+£84
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Leeds
After paying rent, a financial analyst in Leeds retains £84/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £1,008/year extra in purchasing power.
+£84
per month
Edinburgh
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£54,000
Net monthly
£3,349
Rent (1-bed)
£1,100
Rent-to-income
33% — Comfortable
After rent
£2,249
Leeds
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£49,000
Net monthly
£3,233
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
28% — Comfortable
After rent
£2,333
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 72 for Edinburgh and 66 for Leeds, a salary of £54,000 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £49,500 in Leeds.
Edinburgh £54,000 ≈
£49,500
in Leeds
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Edinburgh
48%
Leeds
54%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Edinburgh
£2.74
Leeds
£2.51
Transit (single trip)
Edinburgh
£1.48
Leeds
£1.55
Gym membership
Edinburgh
£40/mo
Leeds
£36/mo
Cinema ticket
Edinburgh
£11.52
Leeds
£10.56
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Frequently asked questions
Does a financial analyst earn more in Edinburgh or Leeds? +
Edinburgh pays a median £54,000 vs £49,000 in Leeds
— a gross difference of £5,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Leeds professionals
have £84/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a financial analyst in Edinburgh vs Leeds? +
In Edinburgh: gross £54,000 → £3,349/month net take-home.
In Leeds: gross £49,000 → £3,233/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £2,249/month
vs Leeds's £2,333/month.
What salary in Leeds matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +
Approximately £49,500 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£54,000 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of
72 (Edinburgh) vs 66 (Leeds).
Is Edinburgh or Leeds cheaper to live in? +
Leeds is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 66 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100).
Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed)
vs £900/month in Leeds.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a financial analyst in Edinburgh? +
A financial analyst in Edinburgh earning £54,000 takes home
£3,349/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,100/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 33%
(comfortable).
In Leeds the equivalent ratio is 28%.