Is £30,000 actually good in the UK? We look at what it means for your lifestyle, taxes, and finances across different regions — with honest 2024 numbers.
£30,000 is close to the UK median salary — which means it's neither particularly high nor particularly low. But whether it's "good" depends enormously on where you live, what your circumstances are, and what you're comparing it to.
At £30,000 you're earning slightly below the UK median of £35,404 — meaning just over half of full-time workers earn more than you. However, you're comfortably above the National Living Wage and in the upper third of earners globally.
| Deduction | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £30,000 | £2,500 |
| Income tax (20%) | -£3,486 | -£291 |
| National Insurance (8%) | -£1,524 | -£127 |
| Student loan Plan 2 (9%) | -£243 | -£20 |
| Take-home (with loan) | £24,747 | £2,062 |
| Take-home (no loan) | £24,990 | £2,083 |
| City | Verdict at £30,000 |
|---|---|
| London | Tight. Flatshare essential. Limited savings capacity. |
| Bristol / Edinburgh | Manageable with careful budgeting. Limited savings. |
| Manchester / Leeds | Comfortable in a 1-bed. Some savings possible. |
| Birmingham / Sheffield | Comfortable. Reasonable savings achievable. |
| Liverpool / Cardiff | Comfortable. Good savings capacity. |
| Northern/rural areas | Very comfortable. Homeownership realistic over time. |
Context matters a lot here. For a recent graduate or someone in their early twenties, £30,000 is a solid starting point — above the graduate median and a good foundation to grow from. For someone in their late thirties or forties, it's below where you'd typically expect to be in most professional careers.
Our salary checker shows where £30,000 sits for your specific job and location.
Check Your Salary →£30,000 is slightly below the UK median of £35,404. It's a reasonable salary, particularly outside London, but most professionals in their thirties would aim higher.
At £30,000 your take-home is approximately £2,062/month after income tax and National Insurance (assuming Plan 2 student loan). Without a student loan, it's around £2,083/month.
Yes, outside London. In cities like Manchester, Leeds, or Birmingham, £30,000 supports a comfortable independent lifestyle. In London it's tight and usually requires flatsharing.