Leeds has been named the best city for young professionals with a mathematics degree, according to a new study. The research highlights Leeds as the ideal location for maths graduates, with Manchester, London, Middlesbrough, and Birmingham rounding out the top five.
Leeds emerged as the leading city for maths graduates with a final index score of 78.53 out of 100. The city, located in Yorkshire, offers an average salary of £44,916 for maths-related roles, which is 13% above the national average. Furthermore, only 54% of this salary is expected to be spent on household expenses, which is 23% less than the average in other cities. This favourable balance of high earnings and low living costs makes Leeds a top choice for new graduates.
Manchester secured second place with an index score of 77.83. The northwestern city stands out for its abundance of maths-related job opportunities, with 2,192 positions advertised as of June 2024. This is a staggering 505% more than other locations. The average salary for maths-related roles in Manchester is £42,331, which is 33% higher than the average salary for all jobs in the city.
London ranks third with a final index score of 75.26. The capital offers the highest average salary for maths-related jobs at £55,443, which is 40% above the national benchmark. Additionally, only 58% of this salary is expected to be spent on household expenditures, 18% below the national average. This combination of high salaries and lower living costs contributes to London’s strong showing.
Middlesbrough and Birmingham are also prominent in the rankings. Middlesbrough, with a score of 72.19, offers an average salary of £40,101, which is 46% higher than the town’s overall average for all jobs, £27,373. Approximately 55% of this salary is expected to go towards household expenses, 23% below the national benchmark. Birmingham, with a score of 70.37, offers an average salary of £43,664, which is 41% above the city’s average salary for all jobs, £30,992.
Other notable cities include York (69.07), Cardiff (68.31), Newcastle upon Tyne (66.28), Blackburn (64.54), and Nottingham (63.94). These cities are recognised for their relatively high average salaries and balanced living costs, making them attractive options for maths graduates.
In contrast, the study identified Poole as the least favourable location for maths graduates, with a final index score of 19.62. The average salary for maths-related roles in Poole is £34,265, which is 13% below the national average. This is only 2% higher than the average wage for all other jobs in Poole, resulting in a low index score.
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Maidstone and Southend-on-Sea are also among the least favourable locations. Maidstone, with a score of 22.28, offers a lower-than-average salary for maths roles and has high household expenditure, with 91% of the salary expected to go towards living costs. Southend-on-Sea follows closely with a score of 22.63, where the average salary for maths-related positions is slightly higher but still accompanied by significant household expenses.
High Wycombe and St Helens are the fourth and fifth worst places for maths graduates, with final index scores of 23.54 and 24.34, respectively. High Wycombe offers a lower salary and higher living costs, while St Helens has a relatively lower salary with moderate expenditure percentages.
Jenn Stull, founder of Calcworkshop, commented on the findings: As university students approach results day, it’s crucial for soon-to-be graduates to consider where they will start their careers. Our study shows that Leeds and Manchester offer the best opportunities in terms of salary and cost of living, making them ideal for maths graduates.
Table 1: The Best Places for Maths Graduates in 2024
| Rank | City | Number of Jobs | Average Salary | Salary Increase | Expenditure Percentage | Index Score |
| 1 | Leeds | 1,013 | £44,916 | 37% | 54% | 78.53 |
| 2 | Manchester | 2,192 | £42,331 | 33% | 62% | 77.83 |
| 3 | London | 10,018 | £55,443 | 29% | 58% | 75.26 |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | 156 | £40,101 | 46% | 55% | 72.19 |
| 5 | Birmingham | 1,410 | £43,664 | 41% | 61% | 70.37 |
| 6 | York | 260 | £42,599 | 28% | 57% | 69.07 |
| 7 | Cardiff | 357 | £43,967 | 32% | 55% | 68.31 |
| 8 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 346 | £40,598 | 29% | 54% | 66.28 |
| 9 | Blackburn | 160 | £40,528 | 45% | 65% | 64.54 |
| 10 | Nottingham | 583 | £38,761 | 49% | 70% | 63.94 |
Table 2: The Worst Places for Maths Graduates in 2024
| Rank | City | Number of Jobs | Average Salary | Salary Increase | Expenditure Percentage | Index Score |
| 1 | Poole | 136 | £34,265 | 2% | 84% | 19.62 |
| 2 | Maidstone | 183 | £35,856 | -1% | 91% | 22.28 |
| 3 | Southend-on-Sea | 91 | £36,477 | 3% | 79% | 22.63 |
| 4 | High Wycombe | 188 | £37,389 | -9% | 87% | 23.54 |
| 5 | St Helens | 58 | £35,451 | 6% | 75% | 24.34 |
| 6 | Ipswich | 268 | £34,166 | 8% | 84% | 25.30 |
| 7 | Birkenhead | 60 | £36,286 | 10% | 73% | 26.48 |
| 8 | Brent | 105 | £39,174 | 5% | 82% | 26.51 |
| 9 | Swindon | 296 | £35,570 | -2% | 81% | 26.65 |
| 10 | Brighton | 244 | £37,083 | 10% | 88% | 26.89 |
