Southampton and Cambridge are similarly sized business centres with 22,454 and 21,091 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.
Southampton has 22,454 active companies compared to 21,091 in Cambridge — 1,363 more.
Southampton has a higher 2020s company formation rate (52.6%) compared to Cambridge (52.2%).
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. Southampton is uniquely strong in Development of building projects and Freight transport by road, while Cambridge stands out in Business and domestic software development and Dormant Company.