Foundation Doctor (FY1/FY2) · City comparison · 2026

Edinburgh vs London

Q: Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Edinburgh or London?

Edinburgh pays £37,068 vs £39,068 in London. After living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £823/month more disposable income.

Q: What is the take-home pay for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh vs London?

In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. In London: £2,637/month net. After rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs London's £587/month.

Q: What salary in London matches Edinburgh purchasing power?

Approximately £51,500 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a COL index of 72 vs 100.

Q: Is Edinburgh or London cheaper to live in?

Edinburgh is cheaper (COL 72 vs 100). Rent: Edinburgh £1,100/mo vs London £2,050/mo.

Q: What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh?

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh has a rent-to-income ratio of 44% (stretched). In London the equivalent is 78%.

Edinburgh wins on purchasing power. Edinburgh foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £823/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

London salary

£39,068

£2,637/mo take-home

Edinburgh wins by

+£823

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Edinburgh

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh retains £823/month more than in London — that's £9,876/year extra in purchasing power.

+£823

per month

Edinburgh

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,510

Rent (1-bed) £1,100

Rent-to-income 44% — Stretched

After rent £1,410

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Edinburgh	London	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,100	£2,050	+86%
Transport	£62	£185	+198%
Council tax	£155	£165	+6%
Groceries	£280	£320	+14%
Disposable income remaining	£783	£-225	-129%

Sources: NHS Scotland 2025/26 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 72 for Edinburgh and 100 for London, a salary of £37,068 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £51,500 in London.

Edinburgh £37,068 ≈

£51,500

in London

Income retention after all essentials

% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries

Edinburgh 31%

London 0%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Edinburgh £2.74

London £3.80

Transit (single trip)

Edinburgh £1.48

London £4.40

Gym membership

Edinburgh £40/mo

London £55/mo

Cinema ticket

Edinburgh £11.52

London £16.00

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Edinburgh or London? +

Edinburgh pays a median £37,068 vs £39,068 in London — a gross difference of £2,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £823/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 Edinburgh vs London? +

In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In London: gross £39,068 → £2,637/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs London's £587/month.

What salary in London matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +

Approximately £51,500 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of 72 (Edinburgh) vs 100 (London).

Is Edinburgh or London cheaper to live in? +

Edinburgh is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 72 vs 100 for London (London = 100). Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed) vs £2,050/month in London.

What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh? +

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh earning £37,068 takes home £2,510/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,100/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 44% (stretched). In London the equivalent ratio is 78%.