The city of Chester has recently appeared in a list of the top 10 UK cities to live in and build a career.
The research, by Rewdearch and coworking.com, ranked the city sixth in the list of the best cities, after assessing a range of metrics related to jobs, business and affordable housing opportunities. The study is described as providing a clear, data-driven summary of financial and career opportunities in the area in 2025.
According to the findings, Chester has prospered from growth in retail, finance, and aerospace, with a series of major employers drawn to the area, including Airbus, M&S Bank, MBNA and Bank of America.
Moreover, with an employment rate at 82.6% and 20% year-on-year growth, it represents one of the most solid increases in the country. Recent employment market activity has been boosted by key industries and major investments, such as the £1.8 billion green energy project at Ellesmere Port, and the HyNet initiative, valued at £5 billion, viewed as integral to the creation of thousands of jobs. There are opportunities for jobseekers with an estimated 46 postings per 10,000 working age residents, according to March 2025 data.
In terms of income and housing, Chester comes sixth nationwide, offering median earnings of circa £39,200. The report also found that rents take up just over a quarter of monthly incomes whilst average house prices work out at nearly seven years’ worth of salaries. In conclusion, Chester is by no means the cheapest area to live, but it is described as a relatively reasonably priced hub.
