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

Aberdeen vs Sheffield

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

Aberdeen pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Sheffield. After living costs, Sheffield professionals have £232/month more disposable income.

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

In Aberdeen: £2,510/month net. In Sheffield: £2,517/month net. After rent, Aberdeen leaves £1,460/month vs Sheffield's £1,692/month.

Q: What salary in Sheffield matches Aberdeen purchasing power?

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

Q: Is Aberdeen or Sheffield cheaper to live in?

Sheffield is cheaper (COL 63 vs 73). Rent: Aberdeen £1,050/mo vs Sheffield £825/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 Sheffield the equivalent is 33%.

Sheffield wins on purchasing power. Sheffield foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £232/month more disposable income after rent than their Aberdeen counterparts.

Aberdeen salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Sheffield salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Sheffield wins by

+£232

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Sheffield

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Sheffield retains £232/month more than in Aberdeen — that's £2,784/year extra in purchasing power.

+£232

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

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

Aberdeen vs Sheffield: what the £232/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Aberdeen rent runs £1,050/month versus £825/month in Sheffield. Once housing costs are factored in, Sheffield workers have £1,692/month disposable income versus £1,460/month in Aberdeen — that is £2,784/year in real spending power.

Sheffield's rent-to-income ratio of 33% compares favourably to Aberdeen's 42%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Aberdeen	Sheffield	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,050	£825	-21%
Transport	£60	£65	+8%
Council tax	£148	£126	-15%
Groceries	£285	£265	-7%
Disposable income remaining	£827	£1,102	+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 Sheffield, a salary of £37,068 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £32,000 in Sheffield.

Aberdeen £37,068 ≈

£32,000

in Sheffield

Income retention after all essentials

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

Aberdeen 33%

Sheffield 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Aberdeen £2.77

Sheffield £2.39

Transit (single trip)

Aberdeen £1.43

Sheffield £1.55

Gym membership

Aberdeen £40/mo

Sheffield £35/mo

Cinema ticket

Aberdeen £11.68

Sheffield £10.08

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Aberdeen pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Sheffield — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Sheffield professionals have £232/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 Sheffield? +

In Aberdeen: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Sheffield: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Aberdeen leaves £1,460/month vs Sheffield's £1,692/month.

What salary in Sheffield matches Aberdeen purchasing power? +

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

Is Aberdeen or Sheffield cheaper to live in? +

Sheffield 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 £825/month in Sheffield.

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 Sheffield the equivalent ratio is 33%.