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

Birmingham vs Edinburgh

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

Birmingham pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh. After living costs, Birmingham professionals have £257/month more disposable income.

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

In Birmingham: £2,517/month net. In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. After rent, Birmingham leaves £1,667/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

Q: What salary in Edinburgh matches Birmingham purchasing power?

Approximately £41,050 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Birmingham, based on a COL index of 65 vs 72.

Q: Is Birmingham or Edinburgh cheaper to live in?

Birmingham is cheaper (COL 65 vs 72). Rent: Birmingham £850/mo vs Edinburgh £1,100/mo.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Birmingham has a rent-to-income ratio of 34% (stretched). In Edinburgh the equivalent is 44%.

Birmingham wins on purchasing power. Birmingham foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £257/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.

Birmingham salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Birmingham wins by

+£257

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Birmingham

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Birmingham retains £257/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £3,084/year extra in purchasing power.

+£257

per month

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

Edinburgh

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,510

Rent (1-bed) £1,100

Rent-to-income 44% — Stretched

After rent £1,410

Birmingham vs Edinburgh: what the £257/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Birmingham rent runs £850/month versus £1,100/month in Edinburgh. Once housing costs are factored in, Birmingham workers have £1,667/month disposable income versus £1,410/month in Edinburgh — that is £3,084/year in real spending power.

Birmingham's rent-to-income ratio of 34% compares favourably to Edinburgh's 44%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Birmingham	Edinburgh	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£850	£1,100	+29%
Transport	£65	£62	-5%
Council tax	£118	£155	+31%
Groceries	£265	£280	+6%
Disposable income remaining	£1,079	£783	-27%

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 65 for Birmingham and 72 for Edinburgh, a salary of £37,068 in Birmingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £41,050 in Edinburgh.

Birmingham £37,068 ≈

£41,050

in Edinburgh

Income retention after all essentials

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

Birmingham 43%

Edinburgh 31%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Birmingham £2.47

Edinburgh £2.74

Transit (single trip)

Birmingham £1.55

Edinburgh £1.48

Gym membership

Birmingham £36/mo

Edinburgh £40/mo

Cinema ticket

Birmingham £10.40

Edinburgh £11.52

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Birmingham pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Birmingham professionals have £257/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 Birmingham vs Edinburgh? +

In Birmingham: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Birmingham leaves £1,667/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

What salary in Edinburgh matches Birmingham purchasing power? +

Approximately £41,050 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Birmingham, based on a cost-of-living index of 65 (Birmingham) vs 72 (Edinburgh).

Is Birmingham or Edinburgh cheaper to live in? +

Birmingham is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 65 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100). Rent in Birmingham averages £850/month (1-bed) vs £1,100/month in Edinburgh.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Birmingham earning £37,068 takes home £2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £850/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 34% (stretched). In Edinburgh the equivalent ratio is 44%.