Britain’s best cities for jobs & work opportunities in 2025: Mid-sized regional hubs take the lead

Winchester takes the top spot as the best city for jobs, boasting an impressive 87% employment rate, the highest business density nationwide, and nearly 90 job postings per 10,000 working-age residents. With a median income of £45,116, Winchester offers strong job prospects in a thriving business environment. Following closely, Warwick ranks second, benefiting from an 86.9% employment rate and an 18% year-over-year increase in job growth. The city also stands out for its high concentration of active and high-growth businesses. Meanwhile, Stafford secures third place with Britain’s highest employment rate at 88.4% and the fastest-growing job market, seeing a 21.9% increase in employment year-over-year. It is also one of the most affordable cities for homebuyers, with a home price-to-income ratio of just 6.6, meaning that the average home costs 6.6 times the median annual income.

Despite affordability challenges, London remains a competitive job market, ranking 11th overall. The capital boasts high business density and 115 job postings per 10,000 working-age residents, reinforcing its role as a key economic hub.

Aberdeen, the only Scottish city in the top 10, ranks ninth overall but takes the lead in housing affordability. Workers here can purchase a home with just four years’ salary, making it an attractive destination for cost-conscious professionals.

Regional Powerhouses: Where Britain’s Job Market Thrives

The South East emerges as Britain’s strongest job market, with eight of the top 20 cities located in the region, excelling in employment rates, business density, and earnings. The West Midlands follows as the second-best region, with four cities ranking highly for employment and business growth. Scotland also makes a mark with Aberdeen (#9) and Edinburgh (#18) securing spots in the top 20.

Top Performers Across Key Job Market Metrics

Breaking down the best cities by individual metrics, Stafford leads in both employment rate (88.4%) and job growth (+21.9% Y-o-Y), while Winchester boasts the strongest business environment with 177 active businesses per 10,000 residents. Cambridge offers the highest number of job openings per capita, with 219 postings per 10,000 working-age residents. St Albans takes the top spot for median income (£53,829/year), while Aberdeen and Doncaster offer the best affordability, with Aberdeen having the lowest home price-to-income ratio and Doncaster claiming the lowest rent burden (21.2% of income).

With mid-sized cities thriving and affordability becoming a key factor in job market trends, Britain’s employment landscape continues to shift, offering new opportunities beyond traditional economic centers.

Read the full study on the CoworkingCafe blog: https://www.coworkingcafe.com/blog/best-cities-for-jobs-in-great-britain/.