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

London vs Manchester

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

London pays £39,068 vs £37,068 in Manchester. After living costs, Manchester professionals have £880/month more disposable income.

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

In London: £2,637/month net. In Manchester: £2,517/month net. After rent, London leaves £587/month vs Manchester's £1,467/month.

Q: What salary in Manchester matches London purchasing power?

Approximately £26,550 in Manchester delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a COL index of 100 vs 68.

Q: Is London or Manchester cheaper to live in?

Manchester is cheaper (COL 68 vs 100). Rent: London £2,050/mo vs Manchester £1,050/mo.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in London has a rent-to-income ratio of 78% (high pressure). In Manchester the equivalent is 42%.

Manchester wins on purchasing power. Manchester foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £880/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

London salary

£39,068

£2,637/mo take-home

Manchester salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Manchester wins by

+£880

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Manchester

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Manchester retains £880/month more than in London — that's £10,560/year extra in purchasing power.

+£880

per month

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

Manchester

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £1,050

Rent-to-income 42% — Stretched

After rent £1,467

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	London	Manchester	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£2,050	£1,050	-49%
Transport	£185	£75	-59%
Council tax	£165	£128	-22%
Groceries	£320	£280	-12%
Disposable income remaining	£-225	£839	-473%

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

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 100 for London and 68 for Manchester, a salary of £39,068 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £26,550 in Manchester.

London £39,068 ≈

£26,550

in Manchester

Income retention after all essentials

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

London 0%

Manchester 33%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

London £3.80

Manchester £2.58

Transit (single trip)

London £4.40

Manchester £1.79

Gym membership

London £55/mo

Manchester £37/mo

Cinema ticket

London £16.00

Manchester £10.88

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

London pays a median £39,068 vs £37,068 in Manchester — a gross difference of £2,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Manchester professionals have £880/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 London vs Manchester? +

In London: gross £39,068 → £2,637/month net take-home. In Manchester: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, London leaves £587/month vs Manchester's £1,467/month.

What salary in Manchester matches London purchasing power? +

Approximately £26,550 in Manchester delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a cost-of-living index of 100 (London) vs 68 (Manchester).

Is London or Manchester cheaper to live in? +

Manchester is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 68 vs 100 for London (London = 100). Rent in London averages £2,050/month (1-bed) vs £1,050/month in Manchester.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in London earning £39,068 takes home £2,637/month. With median 1-bed rent of £2,050/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 78% (high pressure). In Manchester the equivalent ratio is 42%.