Rent swallows up a third of the average pay packet in Brighton, research reveals

Jobs site CV-Library said that professionals in Brighton spend 32.7 per cent of their monthly salary on living costs, second only to London.

The research used data from property site Rightmove, focusing on rental prices for a two-bed property. The average monthly rental price is based on two people living in the property splitting the cost.

And CV-library data explored average salaries advertised in UK cities last year. The average monthly take home pay factors in tax, national insurance and average student loan repayment deductions.

For Brighton, it said the average rent was £623.99, with a pay packet of £1,909.60, so the rent made up 32.68 per cent of pay.

London, which topped the list had an average rent of £836.05 and a pay packet of £2,254.94, meaning rent made up 37.08 per cent of the monthly salary.

Other cities topping the list included Edinburgh, Bristol, Southhampton and Portsmouth.

Those living in Hull had the best deal, the research showed, where average rents were £227.68 and pay was £1,956.65, so a rent made up just 11.64 per cent of the pay packet.

Liverpool, Sheffield and Newcastle also boasted lower asking rents, leaving workers with higher disposable income.

Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library, said: “Despite the government’s efforts to eliminate the North/South divide, it’s clear that living costs and wages aren’t quite following suit. Generation ‘rent’ is well and truly in full swing, and while some cities offer manageable living costs and generous pay packets, others could be pushing workers to breaking point.”