These are the best UK cities for tech careers, according to new study

A new study by software providers at DSTGAMING provides answers, ranking 61 UK cities based on their tech opportunities. The study was based on four key factors that were weighted according to their significance in tech job prospects. These factors include: tech job demand (40%), average salary (25%), share of remote workers (20%), and the number of tech events (15%). To determine the rankings, data was collected from sources such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Eventbrite. The results were scaled from 0 to 100, with 100 representing the best performance across each category.

Cambridge has taken the top spot in the study, with an impressive total score of 70.21. The city excels in tech job demand, where it ranks first with a 5.10% rate, which is significantly higher than any other city. Cambridge also stands out with 68 tech events per 10,000 people, securing the 8th position in this category. When it comes to salaries, tech professionals in Cambridge earn an average of £3,139.99, which ranks 4th overall. However, the city's relatively low work-from-home rate of 10%, ranking 51st, suggests that tech professionals in the area may prefer a more traditional office environment.

Oxford comes in second place with a total score of 58.38. The city boasts a tech job demand rate of 2.90%, ranking 6th overall, and 61.44 tech events per 10,000 people, which places it 12th. Oxford's average salary of £2,709.69, while respectable, ranks 14th in the study. However, the city excels in remote working, with a work-from-home rate of 34%, ranking 4th overall. This reflects Oxford’s strong digital infrastructure and its ability to offer flexible working arrangements to tech professionals.

In third place, Lichfield is a surprising contender, earning a total score of 53.43. While the city ranks lower for tech job demand (1.40%, 33rd overall), it excels in the number of tech events, with 92.61 events per 10,000 people, ranking 3rd in this category. Lichfield also boasts a strong average salary of £3,400, ranking 2nd overall, and a work-from-home rate of 27%, ranking 10th. These factors contribute to its high overall ranking and make it a promising location for those in the tech sector.

London comes in 4th place with a total score of 52.21. While the city ranks 9th for tech job demand (2.60%), it dominates when it comes to salary, with tech professionals earning an average of £3,770.47, ranking 1st overall. However, London struggles in terms of tech events, with just 1.01 per 10,000 people, which ranks it 61st overall. The city also has a 25% work-from-home rate, placing it 14th. Despite these drawbacks, London remains the go-to destination for tech professionals seeking high-paying roles in the heart of the UK's tech sector.

Nottingham ranks 5th with a total score of 49.55. The city shines with a tech job demand rate of 3.30%, ranking 3rd overall, and it also offers an impressive work-from-home rate of 28%, ranking 8th. However, its average salary of £2,270.87 is somewhat lower, ranking 32nd overall. Nottingham’s 30.91 tech events per 10,000 people place it 36th overall, showing that while the city offers strong career prospects, its tech event scene is still developing.

Edinburgh ranks 6th with a total score of 49.09. The city has a strong tech job demand rate of 3.30%, placing it 3rd overall. Its average salary of £2,792.64 ranks 9th, but its number of tech events per 10,000 people is relatively low at 8.02, ranking 56th. Edinburgh’s 24% work-from-home rate places it 16th overall, showing that the city offers some flexibility, but it may not be as remote-friendly as other locations.

Preston ranks 7th with a total score of 47.48. The city performs well in remote work options, with a remarkable 46% work-from-home rate, the highest in the study. However, its tech job demand rate of 1.10%, placing it 42nd overall, suggests that job availability may not be as high as in other cities. Preston also hosts 53.93 tech events per 10,000 people, ranking 15th overall, and offers an average salary of £2,670, ranking 15th in the study.

Leeds ranks 8th with a total score of 45.32. The city has a solid 2.30% tech job demand rate, placing it 14th overall. Leeds also offers 12.11 tech events per 10,000 people, ranking 53rd, and an average salary of £2,484.31, ranking 19th. With a 38% work-from-home rate, Leeds ranks 2nd in this category, showing that the city is a great place for those who want to combine a vibrant urban lifestyle with the flexibility of remote work.

Belfast ranks 9th with a total score of 43.95. The city leads in tech job demand, with a 3.70% rate, ranking 2nd overall. However, Belfast's low number of tech events (4.56 per 10,000 people) places it 60th in this category. The city’s average salary of £2,195.25 ranks it 37th, and its 20% work-from-home rate is ranked 25th.

Manchester takes 10th place with a total score of 43.68. The city ranks 5th for tech job demand, with a rate of 3.20%, and hosts 17.88 tech events per 10,000 people, ranking 47th overall. Manchester’s average salary is £2,289.43, placing it 31st in the rankings. The city's 22% work-from-home rate is ranked 19th, reflecting a relatively flexible working culture compared to other cities.

On the other hand, cities like Perth, Durham, Wakefield, Doncaster, Sunderland, and Plymouth ranked poorly, with total scores under 20 and low rankings across most metrics. These cities lagged behind in terms of tech job demand, salary offerings, tech events, and remote work opportunities, indicating that they have some work to do if they want to compete with the best tech cities in the UK.

Top 20 list of the best UK cities to pursue tech careers: