Foundation Doctor (FY1/FY2) · City comparison · 2026
Bristol vs London
Bristol wins on purchasing power. Bristol foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £580/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.
Bristol salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
London salary
£39,068
£2,637/mo take-home
Bristol wins by
+£580
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Bristol
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol retains £580/month more than in London — that's £6,960/year extra in purchasing power.
+£580
per month
Bristol
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,517
Rent (1-bed)
£1,350
Rent-to-income
54% — High pressure
After rent
£1,167
London
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£39,068
Net monthly
£2,637
Rent (1-bed)
£2,050
Rent-to-income
78% — High pressure
After rent
£587
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 75 for Bristol and 100 for London, a salary of £37,068 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £49,400 in London.
Bristol £37,068 ≈
£49,400
in London
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Bristol
21%
London
0%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Bristol
£2.85
London
£3.80
Transit (single trip)
Bristol
£1.90
London
£4.40
Gym membership
Bristol
£41/mo
London
£55/mo
Cinema ticket
Bristol
£12.00
London
£16.00
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Frequently asked questions
Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Bristol or London? +
Bristol pays a median £37,068 vs £39,068 in London
— a gross difference of £2,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Bristol professionals
have £580/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol vs London? +
In Bristol: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
In London: gross £39,068 → £2,637/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month
vs London's £587/month.
What salary in London matches Bristol purchasing power? +
Approximately £49,400 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£37,068 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of
75 (Bristol) vs 100 (London).
Is Bristol or London cheaper to live in? +
Bristol is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 75 vs 100 for London (London = 100).
Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed)
vs £2,050/month in London.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol? +
A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol earning £37,068 takes home
£2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,350/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 54%
(high pressure).
In London the equivalent ratio is 78%.