OverviewDemographicsEarningsIndustryHousing

Luton

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

Luton supports 109,210 workplace jobs with median earnings 13% below the England average. Productivity (GVA per job) is ranked 224th of 391 local authorities.

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Population

239,090

↑ 19.8%

England: 58,620,101

Workplace Jobs

109,210

Median Annual Earnings

£28,741

318th of 348

England: £33,080

Median House Price

£239,364

↑ 1.8%318th of 348

England: £290,000

Price-to-Earnings

8.3x

GVA per Job

£59,441

224th 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 239,090. Population has grown by 19.8% over five years, significantly above the England rate of 11.4%.

Population

239,090

England: 58,620,101

Working-Age (16-64)

65.4%

England: 62.9%

Under 16

23.2%

Over 65

11.4%

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

Earnings & Income

Gross annual earnings distribution, 2025.

Median annual earnings of £28,741 are below the England median of £33,080.

Median Annual

£28,741

England: £33,080

10th Percentile

£10,886

90th Percentile

N/A

90/10 Ratio

N/A

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap is 21.3% (male median £31,737, female median £24,974). This is significantly below the England gap of 28.2%.

Gender Pay Gap

21.3%

England: 28.2%

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

Industry Structure

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

The most specialised sectors are Administrative & support services (LQ 3.33) and Transport & storage (LQ 1.75). Administrative & support services shows the strongest local competitive advantage. Human health & social work underperforms its national sectoral trend.

Largest Sector

Administrative & support services

Most Specialised

Administrative & support services

England: LQ 3.33

Fastest Growing

Administrative & support services

Specialised Sectors

3

England: LQ > 1.25

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

Housing & Property Market

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

The median house price of £239,364 is significantly below 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

£239,364

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 Luton to England and Great Britain averages.

Luton's median earnings of £28,741 are 13% below the England average of £32,909. House prices are 13% below the England median. The claimant rate of 6.6% is higher than the GB average of 3.5%.

Median earnings

£28,741

England: £32,909(13% below)
GB: £32,401(11% below)

Median house price

£239,364

England: £274,076(13% below)
GB: £269,841(11% below)

Claimant rate

6.6%

England: 3.6%(3pp higher)
GB: 3.5%(3.1pp higher)

GVA per job

£59,441

England: £61,178(3% below)
GB: £61,125(3% below)

Working-age population

65.4%

England: 62.1%(3.3pp higher)
GB: 61.9%(3.5pp higher)

Population change (5yr)

19.8%

England: 11.5%(8.3pp higher)
GB: 10.3%(9.5pp higher)

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