The average disposable income Brits have each month, according to where they live

The average income has fallen by over £350 this year, compared to last year (Picture: Shutterstock / PerfectWave) Between spontaneous weekend getaways and that daily morning latte on the way to work, our bank balances can take quite a hit when it comes to fun spending. But how much are we really able to afford after the dull bills and necessities are spent each month? According to MoneySuperMarket’s latest Household Money Index (HMI), Brits now have £175.76 less disposable income than last year. The researchers explain that while spending on household bills and everyday outgoings has decreased, take-home incomes dropped even further, meaning people have less money overall each month. This has resulted in an average of 67% of income going to household bills and daily outgoings, 2% more than last year. The average reported monthly post-tax income is now £2,203, down from £2,558.58 in October 2025, a fall of £355.58, MoneySuperMarket adds. People have less money to spare on non-essentials (Picture: Shutterstock / Drazen Zigic) Groceries have fallen from £187.90 to £180.20 (4% decrease) compared with October 2025. However, household costs in the past quarter are starting to creep up again. Monthly outgoings increased by £23.31 between July and October, from £1,454.54 to £1,477.85, while reported monthly income after tax rose by just £2.50 in the same period.That means the average person had £20.81 less left over after bills and outgoings than they had three months ago. Energy spending has increased by 2% since the summer, water bills by 3% and vehicle fuel by almost 12%. Metro found out just how much disposable cash Brits have to play with each month, depending on where they live, and it exposed a stark regional divide. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Notably, places with the highest costs are not always where people have less money to spare. How much disposable income does the average UK city have each month? Belfast — £802.76 Belfast has an average monthly income of £2,203.25 after tax, with £1,400.49 going to essential spending, leaving only £802.76 disposable income. This means people in Belfast are, on average, using 64% of their income on essentials, the lowest proportion of income in the survey. Birmingham — £725.21 Those from Birmingham see an average monthly income of £2,137.92 after tax, with £1,412.71 (66% of earnings) going to essential spending. This means they only have £725.21 in monthly disposable income. Brighton — £628.71 For those down south in Brighton, which has an average monthly income of £2,070.75 after tax, £1,442.04 is spent on essentials, leaving locals with £628.71 disposable cash to spend. This translates to a hefty 70% being spent on essentials, which doesn’t leave much room for a trip down The Lanes. Household expenses, such as groceries, can take up a lot of people’s monthly spending (Picture: Shutterstock / Hryshchyshen Serhii) Bristol — £591.07 In the South West of England, Bristolians see an average monthly income of £2,038.25 after tax. Essential spending takes up £1,447.18, which is an eye-watering 71% of their monthly income, leaving only £591.07 left. Cardiff — £655.61 Cardiff fares a bit better than Bristol, with an average monthly income of £2,107.50 after tax, with £1,451.89 (69%) going to essentials, resulting in a disposable income of £655.61. Edinburgh — £772.41 Up in Scotland, Edinburgh has an average monthly income of £2,264.25 after tax. Core spending takes up £1,491.84 (66%), leaving £772.41 for a fun day out, Glasgow — £625.73 With an average monthly post-tax income of £2,088.75, Glasgow spends £1,463.02 on essential living, with £625.73 left. This means people in Glasgow, on average, use 70% of their income on everyday necessities. Leeds — £651 Leeds, the biggest city in Yorkshire, sees an average monthly post-tax income of £2,005.83. Essentials cost £1,354.83 (68% of earnings), with £651 disposable income. Those in Leeds have a decent chunk to dedicate to online shopping (Picture: Shutterstock / Zamrznuti tonovi) Liverpool — £674.89 For residents in Liverpool, the average monthly post-tax income sits at £2,037.50. With £1,362.61 going towards core spending, locals are left with £674.89 in disposable income, meaning roughly 67% of their earnings are absorbed by bills and everyday outgoings. London — £898.90 In the capital, Londoners bring in an average post-tax monthly income of £2,602.50. £1,703.60 goes toward essentials, leaving £898.90 in disposable cash. This means about 65% of local earnings are tied up in bills and essentials, making London the second-lowest city overall for the proportion of income spent on necessities, despite being one of the most expensive cities in the UK to live. Manchester — £685.90 For Manchester, households earn an average post-tax income of £2,135.33. With £1,449.43 going toward core spending, locals are left with £685.90 in disposable cash, meaning that roughly 68% is swallowed by bills and essentials. Newcastle — £669.09 For Newcastle, residents earn an average post-tax income of £2,029.17 each month. With £1,360.08 dedicated to essetials (67% of income), locals are left with £669.09 in disposable cash. Norwich — £428.43 Norwich has an average monthly income of £1,888.33 after tax, with £1,459.90 or 77% going to essentials, leaving £428.43 disposable income. Norwich feels the squeeze the most, with the lowest amount of disposable income of any city measured by MoneySuperMarket, with more than three-quarters of salary being taken by essential costs. Nottingham — £649.97 For Nottingham, residents on average earn £1,972.75 each month. With £1,322.78 (67%) going toward bills and essentials, £649.97 is left for disposable spending. Plymouth — £503.79 Plymouth residents bring home an average post-tax income of £1,802.83. With 72% (£1,299.04) going toward essentials, locals have a remaining £503.79. Plymouth sees the lowest monthly essentials spending, £404.56 less than London, but due to a lower average salary, it has one of the lowest amounts of disposable income. Plymouth has a very low average disposable income despite low HMI costs (Picture: Shutterstock / A_stockphoto) Sheffield — £692.11 In Sheffield, the average monthly post-tax income sits at £1,995.75. With 65% (£1,303.64) absorbed by bills and everyday outgoings, residents have £692.11 left. Southampton — £719.17 For Southampton, locals earn an average post-tax income of £2,144.25 each month. With £1,425.08 (66% earnings) going toward essentials, households are left with £719.17 in disposable cash. What does this mean? Kara Gammell, personal finance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: ‘Compared with a year ago, people report spending less on a range of household bills and everyday costs. But reported incomes have fallen even faster, leaving the average person with around £175.76 less each month after those costs have been covered. ‘The regional picture tells a similar story. The places with the highest household costs aren’t always the places where people feel the greatest squeeze. What matters is not just what people spend, but how much income they have left afterwards. 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You can read the rest of his tips here. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Police officer who was set on fire in Paris protests says he felt ‘burn rising’ Arrow MORE: 400,000 Brits could save at least £380 next year with new rule Arrow MORE: The maximum amount of money you should keep in your current account The Sunday Edit Look beyond the headlines with exclusive articles, emotive interviews and must-read explainers from our expert team of reporters across news, lifestyle and entertainment.