OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Cambridge

Economic profile. Data last updated 2026-03-28.

Cambridge supports 118,480 workplace jobs with median earnings 17% above the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 255th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

149,352

↑ 24.2%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

118,480

Median Annual Earnings

£38,711

43rd of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£322,397

↑ 1.8%43rd of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£58,696

255th of 391

England: £63,763

Source: ONS, Nomis, HM Land Registry, 2024-2025·Last updated March 2026

Demographics & Population

Mid-year population estimates (2024) and Census 2021 age profile.

Mid-year population estimate of 149,352. Population has grown by 24.2% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%. Working-age population (73.7%) is significantly above the England average.

Population

149,352

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

73.7%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

14.6%

Over 65

11.6%

Source: ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates, Census 2021, 2024·Last updated March 2026

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £38,711 are significantly above the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£38,711

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

N/A

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 26.4% (male median £45,106, female median £33,198). This is below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

26.4%

England: 28.2%

Source: ASHE via Nomis, 2025·Last updated March 2026

Industry Structure

Location quotients and shift-share analysis for Cambridge's economy.

The most specialised sectors are Education (LQ 2.36) and Information & communication (LQ 1.97). Human health & social work shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Accommodation & food service underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Education

Most Specialised

Education

England: LQ 2.36

Fastest Growing

Human health & social work

Specialised Sectors

4

England: LQ > 1.25

Source: BRES via Nomis, 2020-2024·Last updated March 2026

Housing & Property Market

Estimated house prices for Cambridge vs England, 2015-2025.

The median house price of £322,397 is above the England median of £290,000. The price-to-earnings ratio is 8.3x. Prices have risen 1.8% over the past year.

Median Price

£322,397

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

12-Month Change

1.8%

Source: HM Land Registry, Census 2021, 2015-2025·Last updated March 2026

Benchmark to national figures

Comparing Cambridge to England and Great Britain averages.

Cambridge's median earnings of £38,711 are 18% significantly above the England average of £32,909. House prices are 18% significantly above the England median. The claimant rate of 2.1% is lower than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£38,711

England: £32,909(18% above)
GB: £32,401(19% above)

Median house price

£322,397

England: £274,076(18% above)
GB: £269,841(19% above)

Claimant rate

2.1%

England: 3.6%(1.5pp lower)
GB: 3.5%(1.4pp lower)

GVA per job

£58,696

England: £61,178(4% below)
GB: £61,125(4% below)

Working-age population

73.7%

England: 62.1%(11.6pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(11.8pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

24.2%

England: 11.5%(12.7pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(13.9pp higher)

Country averages computed from local authority-level data (England: 294 LAs, GB: 348 LAs). May differ slightly from official published national statistics.