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Stafford makes top three among Britain’s best cities for jobs and work opportunities in 2025

Stafford ranks #3 for jobs and work opportunities in 2025, driven by its strong employment rate, the strongest job market growth nationwide, and high affordability.

By contributor Nicky Iudean
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Finding the right place to build a career isn’t just about landing a job – it also requires a thriving business environment and competitive salaries with good purchasing power in the local economy. So, which are Britain’s top-performing cities for jobs and work opportunities in 2025? To find out, CoworkingCafe analyzed Britain’s largest cities  along metrics in three main categories: employment, business growth and housing affordability. The findings highlight a shifting dynamic in the work landscape, with mid-sized regional hubs emerging as top destinations for work, outperforming major urban centers. 

Key takeaways for Stafford: 

  • Highest employment rate and strongest job growth: 88.4 per cent of working-age residents are employed (#1 nationwide), with a strong, nearly 22 per cent year-over-year employment rate growth, making Stafford Britain’s most employment-secure city.
  • Steady job availability: Job seekers have access to 75 job postings for every 10,000 working-age residents, ensuring solid opportunities for job seekers.
  • Competitive median earnings: The median annual salary in Stafford is £41,018, following a 9.5 per cent year-over-year increase, reflecting a positive trend in wage growth and economic resilience.
  • Affordable housing market: Stafford ranks #2 in affordability, thanks to house prices demanding just 6.6 median annual incomes, and the fifth-lowest rent-to-income ratio in the country at less than 23 per cent
  • Stable business environment: Stafford has around 69 active businesses (with 10 or more employees) per 10,000 working-age residents, which is lower than other top-ranked cities. Additionally, the city sees 2.4 high-growth enterprises (that recorded at least a 20 per cent employment growth throughout three years) for every 10,000 residents. 
Britain's Best Cities for Jobs
Britain's Best Cities for Jobs

Nationally, Winchester, Warwick, and Stafford take the top three spots. The West Midlands and South East lead Britain’s job market, with eight and four cities in the top 20, respectively, excelling in employment, business growth, and earnings.  

Stafford Ranks #3 Best City for Jobs
Stafford Ranks #3 Best City for Jobs