Sheffield vs Manchester
Renting in Manchester costs £442/month more than Sheffield.
Rent comparison
Overall, renting in Sheffield is £442/month cheaper than Manchester - that's £5,304/year.
Source: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR)
Earnings comparison
Residents of Sheffield earn £1,749/year more than those in Manchester.
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings
House prices comparison
House prices in Manchester are £38,000 (18%) higher than in Sheffield.
Over the last 10 years, house prices in Sheffield have risen by 54.7%, compared to 74.5% in Manchester.
Source: ONS / HM Land Registry
Council tax comparison
You would pay £198/year more in council tax (Band D) living in Sheffield than in Manchester.
| Band | Sheffield | Manchester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,673 | £1,541 | Sheffield +£132/yr |
| Band B | £1,952 | £1,798 | Sheffield +£154/yr |
| Band C | £2,231 | £2,055 | Sheffield +£176/yr |
| Band D Benchmark | £2,510 | £2,312 | Sheffield +£198/yr |
| Band E | £3,068 | £2,826 | Sheffield +£242/yr |
| Band F | £3,626 | £3,340 | Sheffield +£286/yr |
| Band G | £4,184 | £3,853 | Sheffield +£331/yr |
| Band H | £5,020 | £4,624 | Sheffield +£396/yr |
Source: MHCLG / Scottish Government / Welsh Government
Band D is used as the standard benchmark for comparing council tax across areas. Other bands are set as fixed proportions of the Band D amount.
Energy comparison
| Measure | Sheffield | Manchester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | £1,723 | £1,723 |
| Monthly | £144 | £144 |
| Energy region | Yorkshire | North West |
Energy estimates are based on the Ofgem price cap, which is set nationally. Regional variation is small; we show the same headline figure across regions for transparency.
Source: Ofgem Energy Price Cap, Q4 2026
Water comparison
| Measure | Sheffield | Manchester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | £636 | £627 |
| Monthly | £53 | £52 |
| Water company | Yorkshire Water | United Utilities |
Water in Sheffield costs about £9/year more than in Manchester.
Source: Water UK / Discover Water, 2026-27
Water company boundaries don't always align cleanly with local authority boundaries; the company shown here is the most common provider in each area.
Climate comparison
Sheffield gets around 101mm more rainfall per year and 98 more hours of sunshine than Manchester.
Source: Met Office HadUK-Grid, 1991-2020 averages. Crown copyright. Open Government Licence v3.0.
Crime comparison
Sheffield has a lower crime rate than Manchester, with 974 vs 1,430 recorded crimes per 10,000 people.
Source: Home Office / Scottish Government recorded crime
Recording practices vary between police forces. Crime rates reflect reported and recorded crime only.
Choosing between Sheffield and Manchester? Check a home in either.
Enter a postcode in Sheffield or Manchester for a free preview: last sale price, EPC rating, flood risk and crime nearby.