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

Aberdeen vs Birmingham

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

Aberdeen pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Birmingham. After living costs, Birmingham professionals have £207/month more disposable income.

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

In Aberdeen: £2,510/month net. In Birmingham: £2,517/month net. After rent, Aberdeen leaves £1,460/month vs Birmingham's £1,667/month.

Q: What salary in Birmingham matches Aberdeen purchasing power?

Approximately £33,000 in Birmingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Aberdeen, based on a COL index of 73 vs 65.

Q: Is Aberdeen or Birmingham cheaper to live in?

Birmingham is cheaper (COL 65 vs 73). Rent: Aberdeen £1,050/mo vs Birmingham £850/mo.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Aberdeen has a rent-to-income ratio of 42% (stretched). In Birmingham the equivalent is 34%.

Birmingham wins on purchasing power. Birmingham foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £207/month more disposable income after rent than their Aberdeen counterparts.

Aberdeen salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Birmingham salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Birmingham wins by

+£207

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Birmingham

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Birmingham retains £207/month more than in Aberdeen — that's £2,484/year extra in purchasing power.

+£207

per month

Aberdeen

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,510

Rent (1-bed) £1,050

Rent-to-income 42% — Stretched

After rent £1,460

Birmingham

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £850

Rent-to-income 34% — Stretched

After rent £1,667

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Aberdeen	Birmingham	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,050	£850	-19%
Transport	£60	£65	+8%
Council tax	£148	£118	-20%
Groceries	£285	£265	-7%
Disposable income remaining	£827	£1,079	+30%

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 73 for Aberdeen and 65 for Birmingham, a salary of £37,068 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £33,000 in Birmingham.

Aberdeen £37,068 ≈

£33,000

in Birmingham

Income retention after all essentials

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

Aberdeen 33%

Birmingham 43%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Aberdeen £2.77

Birmingham £2.47

Transit (single trip)

Aberdeen £1.43

Birmingham £1.55

Gym membership

Aberdeen £40/mo

Birmingham £36/mo

Cinema ticket

Aberdeen £11.68

Birmingham £10.40

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Aberdeen or Birmingham? +

Aberdeen pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Birmingham — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Birmingham professionals have £207/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 Aberdeen vs Birmingham? +

In Aberdeen: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Birmingham: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Aberdeen leaves £1,460/month vs Birmingham's £1,667/month.

What salary in Birmingham matches Aberdeen purchasing power? +

Approximately £33,000 in Birmingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Aberdeen, based on a cost-of-living index of 73 (Aberdeen) vs 65 (Birmingham).

Is Aberdeen or Birmingham cheaper to live in? +

Birmingham is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 65 vs 73 for Aberdeen (London = 100). Rent in Aberdeen averages £1,050/month (1-bed) vs £850/month in Birmingham.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Aberdeen earning £37,068 takes home £2,510/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,050/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 42% (stretched). In Birmingham the equivalent ratio is 34%.