Software Engineer · City comparison · 2026

Aberdeen vs Brighton

Q: Does a software engineer earn more in Aberdeen or Brighton?

Aberdeen pays £50,000 vs £58,000 in Brighton. After living costs, Brighton professionals have £169/month more disposable income.

Q: What is the take-home pay for a software engineer in Aberdeen vs Brighton?

In Aberdeen: £3,164/month net. In Brighton: £3,683/month net. After rent, Aberdeen leaves £2,114/month vs Brighton's £2,283/month.

Q: What salary in Brighton matches Aberdeen purchasing power?

Approximately £56,150 in Brighton delivers equivalent purchasing power to £50,000 in Aberdeen, based on a COL index of 73 vs 82.

Q: Is Aberdeen or Brighton cheaper to live in?

Aberdeen is cheaper (COL 73 vs 82). Rent: Aberdeen £1,050/mo vs Brighton £1,400/mo.

Q: What is the rent-to-income ratio for a software engineer in Aberdeen?

A software engineer in Aberdeen has a rent-to-income ratio of 33% (comfortable). In Brighton the equivalent is 38%.

Brighton wins on purchasing power. Brighton software engineers have £169/month more disposable income after rent than their Aberdeen counterparts.

Aberdeen salary

£50,000

£3,164/mo take-home

Brighton salary

£58,000

£3,683/mo take-home

Brighton wins by

+£169

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Brighton

After paying rent, a software engineer in Brighton retains £169/month more than in Aberdeen — that's £2,028/year extra in purchasing power.

+£169

per month

Aberdeen

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £50,000

Net monthly £3,164

Rent (1-bed) £1,050

Rent-to-income 33% — Comfortable

After rent £2,114

Brighton

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £58,000

Net monthly £3,683

Rent (1-bed) £1,400

Rent-to-income 38% — Stretched

After rent £2,283

Aberdeen vs Brighton: what the £169/month gap means for a software engineer

On paper, Aberdeen software engineer roles pay £8,000/year less than Brighton. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Aberdeen workers keep £3,164/month versus £3,683/month in Brighton.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Aberdeen rent runs £1,050/month versus £1,400/month in Brighton. Once housing costs are factored in, Brighton workers have £2,283/month disposable income versus £2,114/month in Aberdeen — that is £2,028/year in real spending power.

Brighton's rent-to-income ratio of 38% compares favourably to Aberdeen's 33%.

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Aberdeen	Brighton	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,050	£1,400	+33%
Transport	£60	£80	+33%
Council tax	£148	£155	+5%
Groceries	£285	£295	+4%
Disposable income remaining	£1,481	£1,613	+9%

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

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 73 for Aberdeen and 82 for Brighton, a salary of £50,000 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £56,150 in Brighton.

Aberdeen £50,000 ≈

£56,150

in Brighton

Income retention after all essentials

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

Aberdeen 47%

Brighton 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Aberdeen £2.77

Brighton £3.12

Transit (single trip)

Aberdeen £1.43

Brighton £1.90

Gym membership

Aberdeen £40/mo

Brighton £45/mo

Cinema ticket

Aberdeen £11.68

Brighton £13.12

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a software engineer earn more in Aberdeen or Brighton? +

Aberdeen pays a median £50,000 vs £58,000 in Brighton — a gross difference of £8,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Brighton professionals have £169/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.

What is the take-home pay for a software engineer in Aberdeen vs Brighton? +

In Aberdeen: gross £50,000 → £3,164/month net take-home. In Brighton: gross £58,000 → £3,683/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Aberdeen leaves £2,114/month vs Brighton's £2,283/month.

What salary in Brighton matches Aberdeen purchasing power? +

Approximately £56,150 in Brighton delivers equivalent purchasing power to £50,000 in Aberdeen, based on a cost-of-living index of 73 (Aberdeen) vs 82 (Brighton).

Is Aberdeen or Brighton cheaper to live in? +

Aberdeen is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 73 vs 82 for Brighton (London = 100). Rent in Aberdeen averages £1,050/month (1-bed) vs £1,400/month in Brighton.

What is the rent-to-income ratio for a software engineer in Aberdeen? +

A software engineer in Aberdeen earning £50,000 takes home £3,164/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,050/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 33% (comfortable). In Brighton the equivalent ratio is 38%.