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

Sheffield vs London

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

Sheffield pays £37,068 vs £39,068 in London. After living costs, Sheffield professionals have £1,105/month more disposable income.

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

In Sheffield: £2,517/month net. In London: £2,637/month net. After rent, Sheffield leaves £1,692/month vs London's £587/month.

Q: What salary in London matches Sheffield purchasing power?

Approximately £58,850 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Sheffield, based on a COL index of 63 vs 100.

Q: Is Sheffield or London cheaper to live in?

Sheffield is cheaper (COL 63 vs 100). Rent: Sheffield £825/mo vs London £2,050/mo.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Sheffield has a rent-to-income ratio of 33% (comfortable). In London the equivalent is 78%.

Sheffield wins on purchasing power. Sheffield foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £1,105/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

Sheffield salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

London salary

£39,068

£2,637/mo take-home

Sheffield wins by

+£1,105

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Sheffield

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Sheffield retains £1,105/month more than in London — that's £13,260/year extra in purchasing power.

+£1,105

per month

Sheffield

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £825

Rent-to-income 33% — Comfortable

After rent £1,692

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	Sheffield	London	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£825	£2,050	+148%
Transport	£65	£185	+185%
Council tax	£126	£165	+31%
Groceries	£265	£320	+21%
Disposable income remaining	£1,102	£-225	-120%

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 63 for Sheffield and 100 for London, a salary of £37,068 in Sheffield delivers equivalent purchasing power to £58,850 in London.

Sheffield £37,068 ≈

£58,850

in London

Income retention after all essentials

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

Sheffield 44%

London 0%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Sheffield £2.39

London £3.80

Transit (single trip)

Sheffield £1.55

London £4.40

Gym membership

Sheffield £35/mo

London £55/mo

Cinema ticket

Sheffield £10.08

London £16.00

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Sheffield pays a median £37,068 vs £39,068 in London — a gross difference of £2,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Sheffield professionals have £1,105/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 Sheffield vs London? +

In Sheffield: 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, Sheffield leaves £1,692/month vs London's £587/month.

What salary in London matches Sheffield purchasing power? +

Approximately £58,850 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Sheffield, based on a cost-of-living index of 63 (Sheffield) vs 100 (London).

Is Sheffield or London cheaper to live in? +

Sheffield is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 100 for London (London = 100). Rent in Sheffield averages £825/month (1-bed) vs £2,050/month in London.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Sheffield earning £37,068 takes home £2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £825/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 33% (comfortable). In London the equivalent ratio is 78%.