Is £28,000 actually good in the UK? We break down your take-home pay, what it buys in different cities, and how it compares to the national median.
£28,000 is below the UK median of £35,404 — putting you around the bottom 40% of full-time earners. Whether it's "good" depends entirely on where you live and what stage of your career you're at. Here's the full picture.
| Deduction | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £28,000 | £2,333 |
| Income tax | -£3,086 | -£257 |
| National Insurance | -£1,234 | -£102 |
| Take-home | £23,680 | £1,973 |
These figures assume no student loan, pension contributions, or other deductions. Use our take-home pay calculator for a personalised figure.
| City | Verdict at £28,000 |
|---|---|
| London | Tight. Flatshare almost essential. Very limited savings. |
| Bristol / Edinburgh | Manageable. 1-bed possible with careful budgeting. |
| Manchester / Leeds | Comfortable in a flatshare. 1-bed tight. |
| Birmingham / Sheffield | Comfortable. 1-bed achievable. |
| Liverpool / Cardiff | Very comfortable. Good savings possible. |
| Northern / rural areas | Comfortable. |
Context matters a great deal here. ONS data shows median salaries by age group:
At £28,000, you're above the median for your twenties and a solid start. See our full average salary by age guide for the complete picture.
Our salary checker benchmarks your pay against real ONS data for your specific job and location.
Check Your Salary →£28,000 is below the UK median of £35,404. Outside London it supports a comfortable lifestyle. In London it is tight and typically requires flatsharing.
At £28,000 your estimated take-home is £23,680 per year (£1,973/month) after income tax and National Insurance. This assumes no student loan or pension deductions.
Yes, in most cities outside London. In London it requires careful budgeting and often a flatshare.