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

Aberdeen vs Nottingham

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

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

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

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

Q: What salary in Nottingham matches Aberdeen purchasing power?

Approximately £32,000 in Nottingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Aberdeen, based on a COL index of 73 vs 63.

Q: Is Aberdeen or Nottingham cheaper to live in?

Nottingham is cheaper (COL 63 vs 73). Rent: Aberdeen £1,050/mo vs Nottingham £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 Nottingham the equivalent is 34%.

Nottingham wins on purchasing power. Nottingham 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

Nottingham salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Nottingham wins by

+£207

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Nottingham

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Nottingham 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

Nottingham

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £850

Rent-to-income 34% — Stretched

After rent £1,667

Aberdeen vs Nottingham: what the £207/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, Aberdeen foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Nottingham. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Aberdeen workers keep £2,510/month versus £2,517/month in Nottingham.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Aberdeen rent runs £1,050/month versus £850/month in Nottingham. Once housing costs are factored in, Nottingham workers have £1,667/month disposable income versus £1,460/month in Aberdeen — that is £2,484/year in real spending power.

Nottingham's rent-to-income ratio of 34% compares favourably to Aberdeen's 42%.

For foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s prioritising financial freedom, Nottingham delivers significantly more disposable income despite comparable gross pay.

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Aberdeen	Nottingham	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,050	£850	-19%
Transport	£60	£58	-3%
Council tax	£148	£118	-20%
Groceries	£285	£260	-9%
Disposable income remaining	£827	£1,098	+33%

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 63 for Nottingham, a salary of £37,068 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £32,000 in Nottingham.

Aberdeen £37,068 ≈

£32,000

in Nottingham

Income retention after all essentials

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

Aberdeen 33%

Nottingham 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Aberdeen £2.77

Nottingham £2.39

Transit (single trip)

Aberdeen £1.43

Nottingham £1.38

Gym membership

Aberdeen £40/mo

Nottingham £35/mo

Cinema ticket

Aberdeen £11.68

Nottingham £10.08

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

What salary in Nottingham matches Aberdeen purchasing power? +

Approximately £32,000 in Nottingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Aberdeen, based on a cost-of-living index of 73 (Aberdeen) vs 63 (Nottingham).

Is Aberdeen or Nottingham cheaper to live in? +

Nottingham is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 73 for Aberdeen (London = 100). Rent in Aberdeen averages £1,050/month (1-bed) vs £850/month in Nottingham.

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 Nottingham the equivalent ratio is 34%.