Portsmouth among the top UK cities for tech professionals in 2026
The tech industry in the UK is growing faster than ever, but breaking into it isn’t always straightforward. Many people start with coding bootcamps, online courses, or university degrees, hoping to land a first role in software, IT, or data. Once in, career growth depends not only on skills, but also on being in the right place, where opportunities, connections, and lifestyle all come together.
Rising living costs make these decisions even harder. Rent is higher in major cities, broadband quality can vary, and the ability to work from home has become a major factor in deciding where to live. For tech professionals, finding a city that balances career potential with everyday life is now just as important as landing a role itself.
To understand where tech professionals are best placed to succeed, LeadsNavi analysed cities across the UK using six factors that look at both career opportunity and everyday life. The ranking looked at six things: average annual salary, tech job postings per 10,000 residents, the share of people recently working from home, tech events per 10,000 residents, average broadband speed, and average monthly rent. Data came from the Office for National Statistics, LinkedIn, Eventbrite, Broadband Speed Checker, and Numbeo.
Portsmouth ranks seventeenth in the study. The city has 256.29 tech job postings per 10,000 residents, giving professionals a reasonable number of opportunities to start or grow their careers. Portsmouth also hosts 9.67 tech events per 10,000 residents, providing occasions to meet others in the industry, learn new skills, and build connections. About 17 percent of residents recently worked from home, offering some flexibility while staying involved in the local tech scene.
Average salaries in Portsmouth are £30,732. While not as high as in Oxford or Cambridge, the combination of career opportunities and lifestyle makes the city appealing for tech professionals. Rent averages £1,050 per month, and broadband speeds reach 215.08 megabits per second, supporting remote work and digital business needs.
Compared with other cities, Portsmouth provides a balanced option for tech workers. Larger hubs like Oxford and Cambridge lead on salaries and job opportunities, while smaller cities such as Carlisle or Preston are cheaper and more flexible but have fewer networking events. Portsmouth combines career options, a growing tech community, and a coastal lifestyle, making it attractive for professionals looking for both work and quality of life.
List of the best UK cities for tech careers:
| Rank | City | Average Annual Salary | Tech Job Postings per 10,000 Residents | Share of People Recently Working from Home (%) | Tech Events per 10,000 Residents | Average Broadband Speed (Mbps) | Average Monthly Rent | Total Score |
| 1 | Oxford | £36,392 | 968.75 | 34% | 33.13 | 117.92 | £1,598 | 59.11 |
| 2 | Cambridge | £38,510 | 1,106 | 10% | 38.01 | 236.58 | £1,469 | 57.02 |
| 3 | Carlisle | £2,043 | 326.38 | 8% | 14.51 | 225.07 | £575 | 44.19 |
| 4 | Preston | £28,812 | 277.78 | 46% | 10.84 | 143.01 | £745 | 43.35 |
| 5 | Belfast | £2,195 | 122.70 | 20% | 5.52 | 155.64 | £891 | 39.93 |
| 6 | Southampton | £29,857 | 307.32 | 30% | 10.51 | 184.59 | £1,113 | 39.51 |
| 7 | Norwich | £29,258 | 405.31 | 29% | 13.98 | 125.44 | £952 | 38.03 |
| 8 | Nottingham | £25,252 | 306.63 | 28% | 11.26 | 152.48 | £856 | 37.71 |
| 9 | Chester | £28,669 | 453.23 | 24% | 16.39 | 122.74 | £970 | 37.58 |
| 10 | Edinburgh | £34,694 | 322.89 | 24% | 11.78 | 223.68 | £1,181 | 37.51 |
| 11 | Exeter | £27,881 | 479.51 | 24% | 14.69 | 112.06 | £904 | 36.79 |
| 12 | Leeds | £31,450 | 173.05 | 38% | 7.05 | 145.56 | £982 | 35.55 |
| 13 | Lancaster | £29,473 | 281.29 | 27% | 11.25 | 165.61 | £800 | 34.99 |
| 14 | Manchester | £28,483 | 354.61 | 22% | 13.46 | 123.42 | £1,239 | 34.94 |
| 15 | Brighton | £33,219 | 343.83 | 17% | 14.84 | 182.42 | £1,421 | 34.93 |
| 16 | Stirling | £33,793 | 374.33 | 21% | 18.18 | 151.34 | £783 | 33.25 |
| 17 | Portsmouth | £30,732 | 256.29 | 17% | 9.67 | 215.08 | £1,050 | 32.44 |
| 18 | Lincoln | £28,849 | 361.68 | 16% | 17.60 | 142.58 | £817 | 32.34 |
| 19 | Southend-on-Sea | £34,982 | 193.80 | 30% | 8.86 | 159.98 | £1,057 | 31.97 |
| 20 | Coventry | £28,828 | 256.34 | 22% | 8.74 | 151.05 | £1,053 | 31.61 |