The cost of living is rising not only in the UK but in many cities worldwide. This means households might not have the spare cash required for renovation projects, from bigger investments such as new flooring or an upgraded kitchen, to smaller projects like replacing doors. This impacts the demand for certain trades and in turn affects trades people's ability to afford their lifestyle in certain cities.
We wanted to identify the best cities for tradespeople to live across the U.S., UK, Canada and Australia. To calculate this, we analysed the cost of living in the different cities compared with the average wage earned across different trades, alongside the quality of life, tax rules in each area, and even the amount of rainfall, as this can affect the number of days many trades can work.
KEY FINDINGS
- North Las Vegas is the best city in the U.S. for tradespeople
- Texas is the best U.S. state to be a tradesperson thanks to low tax rates
- Tradespeople fair the worst if living in New York City due to high taxes and poor weather
- San Francisco locals face the highest cost of living in the U.S. at $2,783.28 per month, looking at average expenses but not including rent payments.
- Milton Keynes is the best city for UK tradespeople to live in, with Croydon being the worst
- Ontario is the best province to live in if you are a Canadian tradesperson
- Quebec is the worst Canadian city if you are a tradesperson
- Perth is the best Australian city to be a tradesperson, Ballarat is the worst
Las Vegas is the best place in the U.S. for tradespeople
The monthly average wage after the cost of living in North Las Vegas is calculated at $3,397 without rent. There is no income tax in the state of Nevada, and the USA's national insurance on self-employed workers is 15.3%. This, alongside a high livability score of 76, gives North Las Vegas an overall index score of 85.2 out of 100, showing that it is an excellent city for tradespeople.
Similarly, the city of Las Vegas ranks third, with an index score of 83.1 out of 100. The central city has a slightly lower monthly average wage after the cost of living, at $2,518, not including rent, but still proves excellent for tradespeople.
There are only 22 days of rainfall annually in the area, which is very beneficial. Rainfall can significantly impact those working in construction, landscaping, and roofing. Not only does it increase the risk associated with these jobs, but it can also damage tools and materials, leading to delays and unnecessary costs.
The second best city for tradespeople in the U.S. is Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert, Arizona, ranks as the second-best city for tradespeople to live in, with an excellent score of 83.7 out of 100. The city has the highest livability score in the U.S., 89, meaning the quality of life for tradies in this city is very high. The monthly average wage after the cost of living is $2,961 before rent, thanks to a high average salary for tradespeople of $54,139, leaving a good amount of disposable income.
Five out of the top ten cities for tradies are in Arizona, making it an excellent state to live in. This is largely due to its good weather, average livability score of 79.4, and maximum income tax of 2.5%.
Texas proves an excellent state for tradespeople in America
Cities in Texas make up eight of the top 20 places for tradespeople to live in America. Like Nevada, Texas has no state income tax, meaning residents get to keep more of their hard-earned cash.
El Paso, the 11th best city in the U.S. for tradespeople to live in, has a high livability score of 81 and only 25 days of rainfall. Yet residents do have a lower monthly wage after the cost of living of $1,397 before paying their rent. This means El Paso tradespeople will likely have significantly less disposable income than those in Fort Worth.
In Fort Worth, tradespeople will have a quality of life similar to El Paso, with a livability score of 80. However, they will have a much higher disposable income, as their monthly average wage after the cost of living, without considering rent, is $3,171.96 thanks to a good average salary of $52,854.00 in the sector, and low cost of living.
New York City is the worst for tradespeople in the U.S.
New York City is considered the worst city for tradespeople due to difficult economic and working conditions, leaving it with a score of 54.2 out of 100.
Despite a reasonable livability score of 75, economic conditions are difficult for many New Yorkers. After accounting for the cost of living (excluding rent), the monthly average wage is £1,955.59, which leaves tradespeople with limited disposable income in one of the most expensive cities in the world. High taxation further exacerbates this issue, with a maximum income tax rate of 10.9% alongside the National Insurance rate of 15.3% for self-employed workers, significantly reducing take-home pay. Additionally, the city's weather poses a challenge, with 92 days of yearly rainfall potentially disrupting work schedules and reducing earning potential.
Washington, D.C. is the second lowest ranking city for U.S. tradespeople
Washington, D.C., ranks as the second worst place to be a tradie, with an overall score of 55.2 out of 100. Like NYC, a decent livability score of 75 is offset by the financial difficulties workers face.
The monthly average wage after the cost of living (excluding rent) is $2,110.91, which, while slightly higher than some cities analysed, still provides limited disposable income in a costly metropolitan area. High taxation further impacts earnings, with a maximum income tax rate of 10.75%, reducing net income. Additionally, Washington, D.C., has an average of 91 days of rainfall annually, disrupting outdoor work and affecting the number of productive working days.
Chesapeake, VA ranks as the U.S.’s third worst city to be a tradesperson
The Virginian city of Chesapeake ranks as the third worst place for tradespeople to live in the U.S., driven by a mix of economic and environmental challenges reflected in the city's overall score of 57.7.
With a livability score of 69, Chesapeake offers a lower quality of life compared to other cities. After accounting for the cost of living (excluding rent), the monthly average wage is $2,246.73, which, while relatively higher, still leaves tradespeople with modest disposable income. Additionally, the city's maximum income tax rate of 5.75% further diminishes take-home pay.
The weather in Chesapeake also poses a significant challenge for local tradespeople. 103 days of rainfall annually potentially hinder outdoor work and reduce productive working days.
Californian tradies face a high cost of living
Six of the top ten cities with the highest cost of living are based in California, meaning that tradespeople in this state will likely struggle the most to make ends meet, especially when comparing this to income tax and local wages.
San Francisco has an average salary of $62,361, the fifth highest of U.S. cities, but the monthly average wage after the cost of living for the city sits at only $2,413.47. This is significantly lower than in cities with similar incomes, where the cost of living for a single person without rent is approximately $2,783.2. The average rent in San Francisco is $3,287, according to RentCafe; even with a partner, locals aren't left with very much to enjoy city life.
The state of California also has the highest income tax rate, at 13.3%, which impacts tradies' take-home pay.
Milton Keynes is the UK’s top city for tradies to live
Milton Keynes stands out as the best city for tradies to live in the UK, with an impressive overall score of 96.3. Milton Keynes has an exceptionally high quality of life, scoring 205.04, the second highest in all of the UK.
In the UK, there is a high maximum income tax rate of 45% alongside the 6% national insurance for self-employed, but the city’s monthly average wage after the cost of living of £1,756.17, before rent, means tradies in this area are comparatively better off than the rest of the country, with an average wage of £30,806. With 90 days of yearly rainfall, local tradies shouldn’t face too many weather disruptions, allowing for consistent income.
Norwich is the second-best city for UK tradespeople
Norwich, Norfolk, is also an excellent city to live as a tradesperson, with the second-highest overall score of 96.1. Norwich locals can expect a good quality of life, scoring 188.91. They can also expect to have a greater disposable income, with a high average salary of £31,340. This means residents have an average wage of £1800.67, after the cost of living but before rent is paid. The city also only sees an average of 85 days of rainfall a year, the second lowest of UK cities only behind Bournemouth.
Croydon is the worst location for UK tradies due to low disposable income
Out of the whole of the UK, Croydon ranks worst for tradespeople due to its low quality of life score and low wages after the cost of living.
In Croydon, tradies can expect to take home £31,498 a year on average. The cost of living averages £1,090 for a single person, leaving them with only £1,534, without rent being paid, the lowest in England.
Greater Manchester is a poor place to be a tradie
Wigan is the second-ranking city in the worst places for tradies in the UK, with a score of 84.8, closely followed by Manchester itself at 85 out of 100.
The quality of life in Greater Manchester is significantly higher than in Croydon, with Wigan scoring 157.17 and Manchester at 158.26. Regarding income, tradies in Greater Manchester will have more disposable income than Croydon, with a monthly average wage after the cost of living of £1,603.82, and a salary of £29,369.00.
16 Ontario cities rank for the best cities in Canada for skilled workers
Ontario has invested over $1.5 billion in the skilled trades since 2020, making it one of the best provinces to move to if you are a skilled worker.
Ontario is a province in east-central Canada, and of its 16 cities rank as the best places to live for skilled trades workers in Canada.
Scarborough comes in first place with a rank of 87.5 out of 100. An area in Toronto, Scarborough boasts high average wages for skilled workers of $73,000 a year. They pay the fifth highest wages for skilled trades in Canada, with Burnaby ranking first, paying an average of $87,053.
A skilled worker looking to move here should expect to pay, on average, $1,300 a month for the cost of living without rent. This would make a skilled worker's average monthly wage after the cost of living without rent $4,811.01.
The cost of living has been ranked with a score of 91, which is just under 10% lower than the average COL in Canada, making it a good place to work.
Edmonton, Alberta ranks second for best city for tradespeople
Edmonton, Alberta, ranks second among the top 10 best cities for skilled workers due to its high quality of life and high monthly wage after the cost of living.
Edmonton only sees 79 days of rainfall each year, so if the job requires working outside, skilled workers should have no shortage of work.
With high average wages of $64,699 and the average cost of living each month of $1,303.92 without rent, skilled workers are left with $4,087.66 each month. Similar to Scarborough, the cost of living in Edmonton is 10% below the average in Canada.
Two cities in Saskatchewan rank as the best cities for tradespeople
Regina ranks in 15th place for the best cities to be a skilled worker thanks to its low cost of living, low tax rates and high quality of life.
With a higher quality of life score than both Edmonton and Scarborough with 87, Regina ranks as a great place to live. Despite paying slightly lower wages of $48,539 a year on average, they make up for it with their cost of living being 11% below the national average.
Quebec ranks in the top three worst places for skilled workers
Montreal, Quebec, ranks as the worst city for skilled workers with a score of 65.4 out of the whole of Canada due to low wages and high tax rates.
The average wage for tradespeople in Montreal is $36,746, and the average cost of living is $1,188.02, so expect to be left with around $1,874.15 a month before paying rent.
Quebec's high tax rates are its downfall and one reason it's the worst place to live for tradespeople. Quebecers can expect to pay up to 25.75% in income tax, which is one of the highest in the province.
Coquitlam is the fourth worst city for tradespeople in Canada
The sixth largest city in the province, Coquitlam ranks as the fourth worst city for tradespeople, with a score of 69.9.
With a cost of living 17% higher than the national average and a low quality of life score of 69, Coquitlam ranks low as a great place to live for tradespeople. The city also charges workers up to 20.5% for income tax.
Perth ranks top for best city for tradies in Australia
Perth ranks the best city for tradies, with a score of 94.9, due to its high average wages and quality of living.
The average wage for tradies is $84,092 a year, leaving them with $5,348.87 after the cost of living, making Perth a good place to live for tradespeople.
Townsville ranks second best city for tradies
Townsville ranks as the second-best city for tradies to live in, but takes the top spot for paying workers in the sector the highest average wage.
If tradespeople are looking for work in Townsville, they can expect their annual income to be $97,957 on average, making the city a great place to live.
Ballarat, Victoria ranks as the worst city for tradies
On the other end of the spectrum, Ballarat in Victoria ranks as the worst city for tradies to live with a score of 79.5.
The city ranks worst due to offering some of the lowest wages for workers in the sector of $60,794. This leaves tradies with an average wage of $3,411 after the cost of living with rent still to pay.
Working as a tradesperson can come with many associated costs, but we can help you get the best value on all of your Trade essentials by applying for a Trade account.
Using a variety of metrics, we identified the best cities in the U.S. for ageing. We looked at 250 of the largest cities in the U.S. and 20 of the largest cities each across the UK, Canada, Australia and continental Europe and analysed the following:
- Quality of life - Numbeo
- Livability - AreaVibes
- Average rainfall WorldWeatherOnline
- Household income AreaVibes
- Income tax - England Scotland National Insurance NI Candian tax U.S. tax Aus tax
- Average rent in U.S. cities
- Earnings in the UK, Australia, U.S.
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