Birmingham is the larger business hub with 86,707 active companies, compared to 23,668 in Reading. While size differs, comparing their industry profiles, formation trends, and growth rates reveals what makes each city's business environment distinctive. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.
Birmingham has 86,707 active companies compared to 23,668 in Reading — 63,039 more.
Birmingham has a higher 2020s company formation rate (63.7%) compared to Reading (51.2%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c., Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate. Birmingham is uniquely strong in Freight transport by road and Other human health activities, while Reading stands out in Business and domestic software development and Information technology consultancy activities.