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Mohamed Oun
Manchester
#92 of 124
Europe

Manchester

United Kingdom

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Manchester compare to Phnom Penh?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Manchester is 57% better off vs in Phnom Penh

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Manchester compared to Phnom Penh, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$70,638
+$54K (+320%) vs Phnom Penh
Based on 237 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$48,034
+$33K (+227%) vs Phnom Penh
Tax Rate: 32%

Community Insights

New

Manchester offers a compelling alternative to London for software engineers who want a genuine "big city" experience without the suffocating costs. It balances a growing tech scene and vibrant cultural life with a distinctively gritty, industrial character. While it lacks the polish and high salaries of the capital, it compensates with affordability and a friendlier social atmosphere. However, residents must be prepared for the gloomy weather and visible social issues in the city center.

Resident Sentiment

Most transplants feel the move was worth it, citing the ability to actually buy property and have a disposable income as a game-changer. There is a strong sense of pride in the city's identity, though long-term residents often grumble about the gentrification and rising costs eroding the city's original character. The sentiment is generally "it's not perfect, but it's real and it's home."

The Good

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to Phnom Penh.

Rankings

Home Affordability

Middle of the pack

#59

of 124 cities

≈8.1 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Tax Rate

Middle of the pack

#67

of 124 cities

32%

Current value (lower is better)

Net Income

Middle of the pack

#72

of 124 cities

$48,034/yr

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Manchester compared to Phnom Penh?

Avg. Property Price
$4,889 / m²
125% more expensive than Phnom Penh
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Manchester to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
108% more expensive than Phnom Penh
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Manchester

Arm logo
Arm
Booking.com logo
Booking.com
BBC logo
BBC
Cost of living is significantly lower than London (rent is roughly 30-50% cheaper), allowing for a higher quality of life on a developer salary.
  • A booming tech hub with major presence at MediaCityUK and growing startup scene (though some hiring slowdowns noted in 2024/2025).
  • Cultural vibrancy is often cited as a major plus, with a legendary music scene, world-class football, and active nightlife that rivals the capital.
  • The people are frequently described as friendlier and more open ("Northern charm") compared to the more reserved nature of Londoners.
  • Proximity to nature is excellent; the Peak District is accessible by train in under an hour for hiking and outdoor escapes.
  • Specific neighborhoods like Ancoats (trendy/industrial chic), Northern Quarter (hipster/artsy), and Didsbury (leafy/suburban) are highly rated by young professionals.

    • The Bad

    • Weather is a frequent major complaint; it is often gray, rainy, and lacks sunshine (ranked last for sunshine hours among tracked cities).
    • Public transport (Metrolink trams) is often criticized for being overcrowded, expensive compared to other European cities, and prone to delays.
    • Safety in the city center, particularly around Piccadilly Gardens, is a consistent concern due to visible drug use, homelessness, and antisocial behavior.
    • Crime, specifically bike theft and burglary, is noted as higher than average, requiring vigilance in certain areas.
    • Salaries, while good for the region, are significantly lower than London or US counterparts, which can be a shock for international transfers.
    • Gentrification is rapidly increasing rents in popular areas like Ancoats, pushing some locals out and making the "cheap" reputation less true than 5 years ago.

    The Verdict

    You'll love it if...

    Engineers looking for value who want to save money while still enjoying a bustling city life. It is ideal for those who value social culture, music, and nightlife over weather. People who appreciate a "rough around the edges" aesthetic and want easy access to the countryside (Peak District) will thrive here.

    Skip it if...

    Sun seekers or those prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) will struggle significantly with the constant gray skies. It is also not suitable for those who require a pristine, sanitized urban environment; the visible grit and antisocial behavior in the center can be off-putting. maximizing top-tier compensation (e.g. FAANG-level cash) is harder here than in London.

    Updated 11/29/2025

    Weather3.8/10+153% vs Phnom Penh
    Safety44-11%
    Pollution53-31%
    Events0
    3.8/10TechCities weather score vs 1.5/10 in Phnom Penh

    0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

    Weather snapshot

    Average High
    14°C(vs 32°C in Phnom Penh)
    Average Low
    7°C(vs 25°C in Phnom Penh)
    Sunshine Hours
    1,265h/yr-905h/yr(-42%)
    Hottest Month High
    20°C(vs 35°C in Phnom Penh)
    Coldest Month Low
    3°C(vs 23°C in Phnom Penh)
    Rainy Days
    120/yr-12/yr(-9%)

    Community & Quality

    Manchester community pulse

    Manchester has 0 Luma events listed.

    Phnom Penh has no listed Luma events for comparison.

    Comfortable Weather

    Middle of the pack

    #77

    of 124 cities

    38/100 weather score

    Current value

    Cost of Living

    Middle of the pack

    #77

    of 124 cities

    57/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Pollution Score

    Middle of the pack

    #77

    of 124 cities

    53.3/100

    Current value (lower is better)

    Purchasing Power

    Bottom 27%

    #92

    of 124 cities

    Community Events

    Bottom 24%

    #96

    of 124 cities

    0 events on luma

    Current value

    Safety Index

    Bottom 22%

    #98

    of 124 cities

    44.1/100

    Current value

    SWE Affordability
    8.1 years
    3.7 years quicker than Phnom Penh
    Muggy Days
    0/yr-336/yr(-100%)
    Cloud Cover
    61%(vs 75% in Phnom Penh)