CV-Library that after basic living costs were deducted a worker on an average salary in Liverpool would have a monthly disposable income of £919, compared to just £195 for someone living in London. Tony McDonough reports

A new study confirms that people living on average wages in Northern cities such as Liverpool are much better off financially than those in London, despite significantly lower salary levels.

Using information from its own database, independent job site CV-Library has compiled a list of take-home pay and outgoings in 16 cities across the UK.

It showed that after basic living costs were deducted a worker on an average salary in Liverpool would have a monthly disposable income of £919, compared to just £195 for someone living in London.

This is based on average monthly take-home salaries of £1,948 for Liverpool and £2,389 for London.

The survey defined basic monthly costs to include rent (small, one-bed flat, located close to the city centre), relevant council tax, a local monthly travel card, basic utility bills and groceries.

The salary figures are based in jobs on CV-Library’s database which is skewed towards higher-paying professional roles. So, average salaries overall, using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) would be lower.

A calculation based on ONS figures would likely show average take-home pay in Liverpool to be closer to £1,600 a month.

However, the survey does accurately illustrate the gap in living standards between those on average salaries in different parts of the country.

Despite having the highest UK salaries, Londoners are on average worse off than those in other cities.

The data showed the three best places to live for disposable income were Aberdeen, Glasgow and Hull each coming in at more than £1,000 a month.

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, said: “London continues to be an exciting city to live and work in.

“That said, it’s very clear from our analysis that the majority of workers in London are in danger  of being left high and dry after pay day, placing many in a compromising position.”