£36,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Real Winner
Bristol
Bristol wins by £30/month disposable income over Cardiff.
£43,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Financial Grid
| Expense Category | Cardiff (Monthly) | Bristol (Monthly) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| home Rent (1-Bed City Centre) | £900 | £1,350 | -46.3% |
| train Commuting (Monthly Pass) | £185 | £62 | -66.5% |
| ⚡ Council Tax & Utilities | £307 | £285 | -7.2% |
| shopping_cart Groceries | £320 | £280 | -12.5% |
| Disposable Income Remaining | £1,553 | £1,523 | +270% |
Sources: NHS Employers Agenda for Change pay scales 2025/26 · ONS ASHE 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Q4 2025 · Revenue Scotland income tax rates 2025/26 · Numbeo COL Index 2025. Last updated: January 2026.
Live Roles · Updated Daily
Doctor Jobs in These Cities
Foundation Doctor — FY1
NHS Lothian · Royal Infirmary of Bristol
£43,000
per year + TPS pension
via NHS Jobs · Posted 2 days ago
Foundation Doctor — FY2
King's College Hospital NHS Trust · Cardiff SE5
£36,000
per year inc. HCAS
via NHS Jobs · Posted 5 days ago
Specialty Doctor — General Practice
NHS Scotland · Multiple locations
£53,000+
Specialty grade
via NHS Scotland · Posted today
Income Retention
Efficiency
Despite the Cardiff salary premium, higher costs of living in the capital erode purchasing power significantly faster than in Bristol.
Pro Tip
"Relocating to Bristol effectively grants a massive boost in disposable income for NHS professionals."
- SalaryDex Career Insights
Lifestyle Anchors
Cappuccino
£3.95 / £3.20
Gasoline (1L)
£1.52 / £1.48
Gym Membership
£48 / £32
Cinema Ticket
£15 / £11.50
Ready to make the move?
47 doctor roles open in Bristol right now. Your £30/month salary boost is one application away.
Browse Bristol Roles →Featured Roles · Bristol
Specialty Registrar — Internal Medicine
NHS Lothian · Bristol · £51,017–£58,398
GP Partner — Bristol City Centre
Private Practice · Bristol · £90,000–£120,000
Listings powered by NHS Jobs · Reed.co.uk · Indeed
Top Financial Tools
On a doctor's salary (£37,000–£39,000), these cards are matched to your income level and suit the financial priorities of someone considering a city relocation.
Amex Preferred Rewards Gold
Best for relocation rewards
Barclaycard Avios Plus
Best for Cardiff ↔ Bristol travel
Chase UK Cashback
Best for everyday Bristol spending
Frequently asked questions
Updated Q1 2026 · Sources: NHS Employers, ONS ASHE 2025, Revenue Scotland
Do doctors earn more in Cardiff than Bristol? ▾
Yes. A foundation doctor earns £36,000 in Cardiff (including Cardiff HCAS) versus £43,000 in Bristol. However after rent and living costs, Bristol doctors have approximately £30 more disposable income per month.
What is the take-home pay for a doctor in Cardiff vs Bristol? ▾
On £36,000 (Cardiff), take-home is approximately £2,453/month after tax and NI. On £43,000 (Bristol), take-home is £2,873/month. After average rent, Bristol leaves £1,523/month vs Cardiff's £1,553/month.
Is Bristol cheaper than Cardiff for doctors? ▾
Yes — significantly. Bristol's average 1-bed rent is £1,350/month vs Cardiff's £900/month. Bristol's overall cost-of-living index is 72 vs Cardiff's 100. A doctor's Bristol salary delivers 28% more purchasing power than the equivalent Cardiff salary.
Is the tax rate different in Scotland for doctors? ▾
Yes. Scotland has its own income tax bands. At foundation doctor salary levels (£43,000), Scottish taxpayers pay approximately £168/year more than an equivalent English salary due to the 21% intermediate rate band. This small premium is far outweighed by Bristol's lower housing costs.
What salary in Bristol matches a Cardiff doctor lifestyle? ▾
Because Bristol's cost of living is 28% lower than Cardiff, a doctor earning £43,000 in Bristol maintains a significantly better lifestyle than the equivalent Cardiff salary of £36,000. No adjustment is needed — Bristol's lower salary delivers more disposable income.
Open roles matching this comparison