Is £35,000 a Good Salary in Bristol?

Updated June 2026 · HMRC 2026/27 rates · ONS data

Short answer: On £35,000 in Bristol, your take-home is £2,393/month after tax. After estimated average costs in Bristol, you have £470/month left.

Where Does £35,000 Rank in the UK?

UK median £37,430
You £35,000
vs UK full-time median £2,430 below the UK median (£37,430)
vs Bristol average £35,000 is below the Bristol average (est. £39,500)

UK median based on ONS ASHE 2025 full-time employee data. Local median derived from ONS regional pay data.

£35,000 After Tax in Bristol

£2,393 Monthly take-home
£374 Income Tax/month
£150 NI/month
Gross salary £35,000/year
Income Tax −£4,486/year
National Insurance −£1,794/year
Take-home pay £28,720/year
£2,393/month

Cost of Living in Bristol on £35,000

Rent
£1,200 (50%)
Bills
£358
Transport
£85
Food
£280
Left over
£470

Rent: ONS Private Rental Market Survey, April 2026. Energy: Ofgem price cap April 2026. Food: average spend.

Life on £35,000 in Bristol

Manageable in Bristol or Edinburgh with some discipline.

  • Solo renting is affordable
  • Saving £200-350/month is realistic
  • Home ownership is a medium-term possibility
  • Some lifestyle flexibility

Moving above £37,430 puts you ahead of the UK median

Home Buying Timeline in Bristol

6.7 years estimated to save a deposit
£37,200 total cash needed (deposit + stamp duty)
£348,000 average house price in Bristol

Based on saving your full disposable income of £470/month and a 10% deposit on the average Bristol house price.

Get your exact buying timeline →

How Does Bristol Compare?

See how your £35,000 salary goes in other UK cities:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is £35,000 a good salary in Bristol?

£35,000 is manageable in Bristol but not comfortable. After tax and average living costs, you have around £470 left — tight but liveable for many people.

Is £35,000 enough to live alone in Bristol?

Yes, living alone on £35,000 in Bristol is possible. Rent takes around 50% of your take-home pay, which is above the ideal 33% but manageable with careful budgeting.

Tax calculations based on 2026/27 HMRC rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish Income Tax rates applied for Edinburgh and Glasgow. Rent from ONS Private Rental Market Survey, April 2026. UK median salary from ONS ASHE 2025 (full-time employees: £37,430). Local salary medians derived from ONS regional pay data — approximations only. All figures are estimates. Last updated: June 2026.

Comfort level indicators are illustrative categories based on estimated disposable income and do not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances vary significantly.