Preston is becoming an increasingly attractive location for technology and engineering professionals. As Lancashire’s economic centre, the city combines strong transport connections, a growing technology and digital sector, major investment and relatively affordable housing compared with many larger UK cities.
From technology jobs and salaries to housing, commuting, education and quality of life, this guide covers everything you need to know about working and living in Preston in 2026.
Overview
- The Tech and Engineering Sector in Preston
- The Tech Job Market in Preston
- Tech Job Salaries in Preston
- Technology, Digital and Innovation in Preston
- Tech Cost of Living in Preston
- Housing in Preston
- Buying Property in Preston
- Commuting and Public Transport in and Around Preston
- Education and Skills in Preston
- Life Outside of Work in Preston
- Using Technology Recruitment Agencies for Tech Jobs in Preston
The Tech and Engineering Sector in Preston
Preston has developed well beyond its traditional industrial identity. While engineering and manufacturing remain important to the local economy, the city is increasingly building a reputation around digital technology, cyber security, advanced manufacturing, research and innovation.
Preston City Council describes the city as the economic hub of Lancashire, with more than £1 billion of investment taking place over the past decade. The city generates around £4.5 billion in GVA each year and has a large travel-to-work area, giving employers access to talent from across Central Lancashire and beyond.
A strong engineering base
Engineering remains one of Preston’s major strengths. The wider Lancashire economy has established expertise in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy and engineering, providing an important foundation for technology businesses and specialist engineering employers.
The University of Central Lancashire, now operating as the University of Lancashire, is also an important part of this ecosystem. Its investment in engineering and technology facilities has helped strengthen the relationship between education, research and industry.
Growing digital and cyber opportunities
Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of Preston’s future economic plans.
Preston City Council has identified cyber security, digital technology and ICT as growth areas, alongside advanced manufacturing, research, life sciences and clean energy. The council is also developing a dedicated Cyber, Digital and ICT Strategy.
The proposed development associated with the National Cyber Force is another important opportunity. Preston’s location, connectivity and existing skills base could help the city develop into a stronger regional centre for cyber security and digital technology.
Supporting businesses and innovation
Investment is also taking place across employment and innovation locations, including the Station Quarter, Riversway Business Village and developments around the UCLan campus.
The city’s regeneration plans are designed not simply to create new buildings but to improve the environment for businesses, researchers, workers and entrepreneurs.
Looking ahead
Preston’s technology sector is still developing, which creates an interesting opportunity for professionals who want to work in a city where digital and engineering industries are becoming more important.
The combination of established engineering expertise, a large student population, university research, digital investment and strong regional connectivity gives Preston a solid platform for future technology growth.
The Tech Job Market in Preston
Preston’s technology job market covers a broader range of roles than simply software development.
The city’s economy creates opportunities across software, engineering, digital technology, cyber security, IT, data, manufacturing and technical services. Professionals can also access the much larger technology and engineering markets across Lancashire and the wider North West.
Software and digital technology
Software engineering remains an important part of the local technology market, with opportunities for developers, software engineers, IT professionals and technical specialists.
Preston College is also expanding its digital skills provision, with 2026 courses covering areas including artificial intelligence, cyber security, computing and digital software development.
This is particularly important as employers increasingly look for candidates with skills that combine traditional IT knowledge with areas such as AI, cloud computing, automation and cyber security.
Engineering and advanced manufacturing
Preston also benefits from Lancashire’s wider engineering economy. Professionals with experience in electronics, embedded software, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, aerospace and related disciplines can access opportunities across the Preston and wider Lancashire employment market.
For specialist engineering professionals, being based in Preston can therefore provide access to opportunities beyond the immediate city boundary.
Cyber security
Cyber security is one of the areas with potentially significant long-term growth.
Preston City Council identifies the National Cyber Force as an opportunity to attract investment, highly skilled workers and specialist businesses to the area. The council also sees the development as potentially supporting a wider regional hub for cyber security, digital innovation and specialist skills.
This could create opportunities across areas such as:
- Cyber security engineering
- Information security
- Network security
- Software development
- Data and analytics
- Infrastructure
- Technical support
- Cyber research
AI and emerging technology
AI is also becoming part of Preston’s skills landscape.
In 2026, Preston was selected for a government-backed AI bootcamp programme aimed at helping young people develop practical AI and digital skills. The programme includes training in building AI tools and understanding business applications of AI.
While this initiative is focused on early careers, it reflects the wider shift towards AI and digital skills across the local economy.
Tech Job Salaries in Preston
Technology salaries in Preston vary considerably depending on the role, experience and specialist skills required. According to current salary data updated in July 2026, the average salary for a software engineer in Preston is around £41,931 per year.
However, this should be treated as a general market indicator rather than a fixed salary range. Specialist engineering and technology positions can pay considerably more depending on experience and technical requirements.
Senior roles
Experienced software engineers, technical specialists and engineering professionals can command significantly higher salaries than the local average.
Specialist skills in areas such as:
- Embedded software
- C and C++
- Electronics
- Cyber security
- Cloud
- AI and machine learning
- Data
- Systems engineering
- Technical leadership
can all influence earning potential.
Professionals with highly specialised experience may also find that opportunities across the wider Lancashire and North West market offer higher salaries than roles based solely within Preston.
Mid-level roles
Mid-level software engineers, developers, systems specialists and IT professionals form an important part of the local market.
For candidates at this stage, Preston can offer a useful balance between career progression and living costs. It also provides access to larger employment markets such as Manchester and Liverpool.
Entry-level roles
Preston has a strong education and skills pipeline, making it a potentially attractive location for graduates and people beginning their technology careers.
The presence of the University of Lancashire, Preston College and other training providers creates opportunities for people developing skills in computing, engineering, AI and cyber security.
For early-career professionals, the combination of relatively accessible housing and proximity to larger employment centres can make Preston an interesting alternative to starting a career in a much more expensive city.
Technology, Digital and Innovation in Preston
Preston is undergoing significant investment, and technology forms an important part of the city’s future economic plans. The council’s current strategy highlights digital technology, cyber security, advanced manufacturing, research, life sciences and clean energy as areas with strong growth potential.
The UCLan investment programme
The University of Central Lancashire has played an important role in Preston’s regeneration and technology ecosystem. Its major campus investment has included facilities such as the Engineering Innovation Centre, designed to support teaching, research and collaboration with industry. The university’s presence also gives businesses access to a large pool of students and graduates developing technical skills.
Digital innovation
Preston is also developing initiatives designed to support local digital businesses and innovation.
The city has identified the potential for digital transformation through initiatives such as the Preston Digital Cooperative, while its emerging Cyber, Digital and ICT Strategy demonstrates how technology is becoming increasingly embedded within the city’s economic planning.
Regeneration
The wider regeneration programme is another important factor. Current projects include the Harris Quarter, Animate, Friargate North and Ringway, the Station Quarter and further development around the university and employment areas. These projects are helping to create a more modern city centre while improving the environment for businesses and residents.
National Cyber Force opportunity
One of the most significant long-term technology opportunities is the proposed National Cyber Force headquarters. The project has the potential to attract highly skilled workers and related businesses, while strengthening Preston’s position in cyber security and digital technology. For technology professionals, this could become one of the more important developments shaping the city’s future job market.
Tech Cost of Living in Preston
One of Preston’s biggest advantages for technology professionals is its relative affordability. Housing costs are considerably lower than in London and many parts of the South East, while residents can still access a city centre, major employers, universities, restaurants, entertainment and excellent transport connections.
Housing costs
The latest ONS data, updated in August 2026, puts the average house price in Preston at approximately £188,000, based on June 2026 data. Average private rent was £788 per month in July 2026. This gives Preston a considerably lower housing cost than many larger UK cities.
Property prices by type
In June 2026, average prices were approximately:
- Detached: £336,000
- Semi-detached: £202,000
- Terraced: £144,000
- Flats and maisonettes: £99,000
These figures demonstrate the range of property available across the Preston market.
First-time buyers
The average price paid by first-time buyers was approximately £164,000 in June 2026. Although property prices have risen, Preston remains comparatively accessible when measured against many southern cities.
Everyday spending
For technology professionals relocating from London or other high-cost areas, the main financial benefit is likely to come from housing. Lower housing costs can provide more flexibility for saving, commuting, leisure and other everyday spending.
Housing in Preston
Preston offers a wide variety of housing, from city-centre apartments to traditional terraced properties and larger suburban homes.
City centre living
Living in central Preston can suit professionals who want easy access to:
- Offices
- Restaurants and cafés
- Shops
- The railway station
- Entertainment
- The university
- Cultural attractions
The city’s regeneration programme is also creating new opportunities for city-centre living.
Family-friendly areas
Professionals moving with families have a wider range of options outside the immediate city centre. Residential areas around Preston and the surrounding Central Lancashire communities offer larger properties, gardens and access to schools while remaining within commuting distance of the city.
Living outside Preston
One of the advantages of the area is that technology professionals do not necessarily need to live directly in Preston. The wider Central Lancashire area provides additional housing options, while Preston’s road and rail connections make commuting from surrounding towns practical for many workers.
Buying Property in Preston
Preston’s property market remains comparatively accessible, although prices have increased significantly during the past year. According to the ONS, the average property price increased by 12.4% between June 2025 and June 2026, reaching approximately £188,000.
Preston property prices
Current average prices by property type are:
- Detached properties: £336,000
- Semi-detached properties: £202,000
- Terraced properties: £144,000
- Flats and maisonettes: £99,000
First-time buyers
At around £164,000, the average first-time buyer purchase price remains below the overall Preston average. This makes Preston potentially attractive to professionals looking to buy their first home while building a technology career.
Why Preston appeals
The property market is one of the reasons Preston can appeal to technology professionals who want to balance career development with quality of life. The city provides access to a substantial regional economy without the property prices associated with Manchester, London and many parts of the South East.
Commuting and Public Transport in and Around Preston
Transport is one of Preston’s biggest advantages. The city sits at an important point on the UK’s road and rail networks, with direct connections to major cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London.
Rail connections
Preston railway station is an important West Coast Main Line station. This makes the city particularly attractive to professionals who want to live outside one of the larger metropolitan areas while maintaining access to major employment centres.
Road connections
Preston also benefits from its location close to major motorways, including the M6 and M55.
The wider Central Lancashire investment programme has included major transport infrastructure designed to improve connectivity and unlock employment and housing development.
Cottam Parkway
The proposed Cottam Parkway railway station is another important part of Preston’s longer-term transport plans. The station is intended to improve access to employment, education and leisure opportunities and support development in the north-west of the city.
Cycling and active travel
Preston also has an established active-travel network. The Guild Wheel, a circular route of approximately 21 miles, connects Preston with surrounding green spaces and destinations including Brockholes Nature Reserve. This gives residents an alternative to driving for leisure and some shorter journeys.
The Education and Skills System in Preston
Preston has a strong education ecosystem, which is important for both families and employers looking to recruit technical talent.
Preston College
Preston College provides a growing range of digital and technical education.
Its 2026 digital provision includes courses and qualifications in:
- Artificial intelligence
- Cyber security
- Computing
- Information technology
- Digital software development
The college’s combined digital package specifically brings together IT, cyber security and AI.
University of Lancashire
The University of Lancashire is a major presence in the city and contributes significantly to Preston’s graduate talent pipeline. The university has expertise across computing, engineering, digital technology and other technical disciplines, helping connect education with local and regional employers.
Skills for the technology economy
The combination of university education, further education and employer links gives Preston an important advantage as businesses increasingly compete for digital and engineering talent. For employers, this creates the potential for a strong local recruitment pipeline. For candidates, it provides multiple routes into technology careers without necessarily having to move to Manchester, London or another major technology hub.
Life Outside of Work in Preston
Preston offers a mix of culture, heritage, green space, restaurants, entertainment and events. Its central location also means that residents can reach some of the North West’s best-known destinations relatively easily.
Culture and heritage
The recently transformed Harris is one of the city’s major cultural attractions. The £19 million Harris Your Place project has reimagined the building as a cultural, learning and community space, with exhibitions, events and activities. The Harris continues to host a busy programme of exhibitions and events throughout 2026.
Entertainment
Animate Preston has added another major entertainment destination to the city centre. The Harris Quarter development includes a cinema, bowling, restaurants and other leisure options, giving residents more choice for evenings and weekends.
Festivals and events
Preston has a strong calendar of cultural events. The Encounter Festival returns in September 2026 with outdoor performances, installations, family activities and the city’s famous Torchlight Procession.
The city has also submitted Preston Guild and Preston Egg Rolling for inclusion in the UK’s UNESCO Living Heritage inventories. Preston Guild dates back to 1179 and the next full Guild celebration is scheduled for 2032.
Parks and green spaces
Preston has plenty of opportunities to escape the city centre. Avenham and Miller Parks sit beside the River Ribble, while Winckley Square provides a green space close to the centre.
The Guild Wheel also gives residents access to longer cycling and walking routes around the city and surrounding countryside.
Exploring Lancashire
Another advantage of living in Preston is its location. The city provides relatively easy access to the Lancashire countryside, the Ribble Valley, the coast and destinations further afield.
For professionals who want city-based employment without living in a large metropolitan city, this combination can be particularly appealing.
Why Preston Works for Tech Professionals
Preston offers an interesting combination of career opportunities, affordability and connectivity. The technology market is developing, while the wider engineering and manufacturing economy provides additional opportunities for technical professionals. At the same time, housing remains considerably more accessible than in many major UK cities. The city’s investment pipeline also gives Preston a strong long-term story.
Digital technology, cyber security, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, research and life sciences have all been identified as areas with potential for future growth.
Using Technology Recruitment Agencies for Tech Jobs in Preston
Using a specialist technology recruitment agency can be particularly useful when looking for technical jobs in Preston and the wider Lancashire region. Some specialist vacancies require very specific experience, particularly across areas such as software engineering, embedded systems, electronics, cyber security, AI, data and engineering.
A specialist recruiter can help candidates understand which opportunities match their technical background, experience and career ambitions. Recruiters can also provide insight into the local market, including salary expectations and the types of skills employers are currently looking for.
For employers, working with a specialist technology recruitment agency can make it easier to reach candidates with niche technical experience. This is particularly valuable where businesses are competing for professionals in areas such as software engineering, electronics, embedded systems, cyber security and advanced engineering.
For candidates considering a move to Preston, working with a specialist recruiter can also provide access to opportunities across the wider Lancashire and North West technology market.
About Hexwired Technology Recruitment
Hexwired recruitment is a top tech recruitment agency, providing tailored and cost-effective services for our clients, helping employers to hire skilled professionals in software engineering who are suited to the business needs quickly. Our technical consultants’ knowledge and understanding of the sector, alongside their experience in the tech industry, are one of the reasons we excel at finding you the right candidates in software.
We provide both contract and permanent solutions to the technology sector, covering areas such as Embedded Software, Electronics (FPGA, Digital Design, RF, IC Design), Software Test, Mechanical Design, C++ software engineer, Python, Golang, Machine Learning and Data Science, Technical Sales and Project management, and more. Need help hiring permanent/contract talent or looking for a new job? Contact us today.
