Milton Keynes stands out for strong salaries as new UK study reveals where ages 30+ can stretch their salary furthest

For many people in their 30s, it’s no longer just about earning more on paper. With rent going up, mortgages stretching budgets and everyday costs piling in, the real question has become how far a salary actually goes once the bills are paid. A new UK-wide study by The Investors Centre looks at which cities genuinely give thirtysomethings the best shot at building wealth in real terms, not just headline earnings.

The research compares UK cities across income, rent, house prices, job growth, employment rates, self-employment, living costs, childcare costs and disposable income to see where financial pressure is lowest and money tends to go further.

Milton Keynes comes out as a strong performer in the study, supported by comparatively high average salaries and a well-developed local job market that attracts professionals across sectors including finance, tech and logistics. That stronger earnings base helps offset the city’s higher-than-average housing costs, which remain one of the main pressures on monthly budgets.

While property prices and rent levels are above many regional cities, Milton Keynes continues to perform well due to income levels that help balance out those costs. The result is a more mixed but still relatively resilient financial picture, where higher pay plays a key role in maintaining disposable income.

Milton Keynes sits alongside other higher-earning commuter and business-focused cities in the wider rankings, where stronger salaries often come with higher living costs, creating a trade-off between earning power and affordability.

Further down the rankings, larger urban areas tend to feel more pressure once housing costs are factored in. London, for example, records the highest median salary in the study at £45,994, but high rent and house prices leave disposable income significantly lower once essentials are paid for.

Thomas Drury, spokesperson at The Investors Centre, said: “A lot of people in their 30s are doing everything right on paper, steady job, decent salary, but it still feels like there’s nothing left at the end of the month. That gap between earning and actually getting ahead is what we wanted to look at.”

He added: “It’s not really about luxury or big financial wins for most households. It’s more basic than that, just having a bit of breathing room after rent, bills and food shopping without constantly feeling like you’re catching up.”

“When you strip it all back, it’s the cost of housing that really decides how far a salary goes. You can earn a strong wage, but if rent or a mortgage takes most of it, there’s not much left to build on. Cities where housing is more accessible naturally give people more room to breathe financially.”

Top 10 Cities:
1 Perth

2 Preston

3 Wrexham

4 Stirling

5 Aberdeen

6 Worcester

7 Doncaster

8 Kingston upon Hull

9 Peterborough

10 Derby