United Kingdom • Updated 2026
Is it worth living in Bedford on £26,000?
Compare take-home pay vs essentials (rent, food, transport, utilities). Use sliders to match your situation — then judge by disposable left + rent pressure.
Take-home (monthly)
£1,809
Essentials total
£1,370
Disposable left
£439
Rent % of income
47%
Rent£850
Food£255
Transport£115
Utilities£150
Verdict
10/100 • Struggle Housing costs in Bedford are high (around 47% of income), which will limit your ability to save. You will have some spending money, but big savings goals or frequent travel might be tight. Overall, this salary is likely too low for an independent lifestyle in Bedford without compromises.
Related pages
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FAQ
Is this accurate?
It’s a consistent baseline for comparisons. Sliders let you match your real situation.
What comfort score is “good”?
Rough guide: 70+ comfortable, 50–69 okay, 30–49 tight, below 30 struggle.
What’s the best lever?
Rent. If rent is high relative to take-home, the outcome is tight even on decent salaries.