Overview
- The top 11 recorded average real-terms disposable income growth of 5.2% from 2013 to 2023, compared with 2.4% across the UK.
- Those places expanded their economies by 27% over the decade versus 18.4% nationally, with Warrington posting 41% growth.
- Brighton led on living standards with 8.1% disposable income growth and 38.3% economic growth, with Worthing close behind at 7.8% and 29.4%.
- Centre for Cities estimates residents would have been £3,200 better off on average if all 63 large cities and towns had matched the top performers.
- The report also flags weak spots, including a 1.2% rise in West Midlands living standards, Birmingham’s low economic activity and 6.4% unemployment, and a 3% fall in Cambridge’s real-terms incomes.