The salary you actually need to feel comfortable in the UK in 2026 has more than doubled in the last 15 years.
In 2010, ยฃ35,000 was a solid graduate salary. You could rent decently, eat out, take a holiday, save a bit.
In 2026, the equivalent number โ same lifestyle, same level of comfort โ is closer to ยฃ75,000.
That's the difference between 'affording your life' and 'getting by.' ยฃ35K used to put you on the comfortable side of that line. ยฃ75K is now the entry point.
Most people earning ยฃ45-ยฃ60K in 2026 are quietly running paycheck to paycheck, feeling vaguely confused about why a salary that sounds substantial doesn't actually go very far.