Salary Equivalence · Leeds → Aberdeen · 2026

What does £25,000 in Leeds
equal in Aberdeen?

Based on cost-of-living indices (Leeds 66 vs Aberdeen 73, London = 100), £25,000 in Leeds has the same purchasing power as approximately £27,650 in Aberdeen. Aberdeen is 11% more expensive overall.

Leeds salary
£25,000
COL index 66
Aberdeen equivalent
£27,650
COL index 73
COL difference
11%
Aberdeen is more expensive
Equivalent purchasing power in Aberdeen
£27,650
= £25,000 in Leeds after cost-of-living adjustment
based on COL index 66 → 73 (London = 100)

Why £25,000 in Leeds equals £27,650 in Aberdeen

The equivalent accounts for the real cost of maintaining the same standard of living. Leeds rent averages £900/month versus £1,050/month in Aberdeen — a +£150/month premium. Beyond rent, Aberdeen is overall 11% more expensive across groceries, transport, restaurants, and utilities (Numbeo COL index 73 vs Leeds's 66).

To achieve the same disposable income in Aberdeen, you would need to earn £27,650 — calculated using Rightmove Q1 2026 rental data and HMRC 2025/26 tax rates. Any offer below £27,650 in Aberdeen represents a real-terms pay cut.

Cost Comparison — Leeds vs Aberdeen

Metric Leeds Aberdeen Difference
COL index 66 73 +7 pts
1-bed rent £900/mo £1,050/mo +£150/mo
Monthly rent premium — — +£150/mo
Annual rent premium — — +£1,800/yr

COL indices from Numbeo 2025 (London = 100). Rent = Rightmove Q4 2025 median for a 1-bed flat.

Relocation Financial Impact

Moving from Leeds to Aberdeen costs £150/month more in rent (£900 → £1,050/mo).

+£1,800/yr
annual housing premium

You need £27,650 in Aberdeen to match your Leeds lifestyle — £2,650 more than your current Leeds salary.

Other Salary Points — Leeds → Aberdeen

£30,000 → £33,200 £35,000 → £38,700

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Frequently Asked Questions

What salary in Aberdeen matches £25,000 in Leeds? +
£27,650 in Aberdeen provides the same purchasing power as £25,000 in Leeds. This is based on Leeds's COL index of 66 vs Aberdeen's 73 (London = 100, Numbeo 2025). The 11% cost difference translates directly to a 11% higher equivalent salary.
Is Aberdeen significantly cheaper than Leeds? +
Aberdeen is 11% more expensive overall than Leeds. The most visible difference is rent: Leeds averages £900/month for a 1-bed flat vs £1,050/month in Aberdeen — a premium of £150/month (£1,800/year).
How is the salary equivalence calculated? +
SalaryDex uses city-level cost-of-living indices from Numbeo 2025, normalised so London = 100. The formula is: equivalent = salary × (cityB COL ÷ cityA COL). For this page: £25,000 × (73 ÷ 66) = £27,650. The index captures overall cost differences including rent, food, transport, utilities and services. It does not account for individual tax positions or lifestyle choices.
Should I accept a lower salary to move from Leeds to Aberdeen? +
Moving to Aberdeen requires a higher salary to maintain your standard of living. You need approximately £27,650 — £2,650 more than your current £25,000 in Leeds. Aberdeen is 11% more expensive overall and rent averages £1,050/month vs £900.

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