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

Brighton vs Edinburgh

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

Brighton pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh. After living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £293/month more disposable income.

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

In Brighton: £2,517/month net. In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. After rent, Brighton leaves £1,117/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

Q: What salary in Edinburgh matches Brighton purchasing power?

Approximately £32,550 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Brighton, based on a COL index of 82 vs 72.

Q: Is Brighton or Edinburgh cheaper to live in?

Edinburgh is cheaper (COL 72 vs 82). Rent: Brighton £1,400/mo vs Edinburgh £1,100/mo.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Brighton has a rent-to-income ratio of 56% (high pressure). In Edinburgh the equivalent is 44%.

Edinburgh wins on purchasing power. Edinburgh foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £293/month more disposable income after rent than their Brighton counterparts.

Brighton salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Edinburgh wins by

+£293

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Edinburgh

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh retains £293/month more than in Brighton — that's £3,516/year extra in purchasing power.

+£293

per month

Brighton

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £1,400

Rent-to-income 56% — High pressure

After rent £1,117

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

Brighton vs Edinburgh: what the £293/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Brighton rent runs £1,400/month versus £1,100/month in Edinburgh. Once housing costs are factored in, Edinburgh workers have £1,410/month disposable income versus £1,117/month in Brighton — that is £3,516/year in real spending power.

Edinburgh's rent-to-income ratio of 44% compares favourably to Brighton's 56%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Brighton	Edinburgh	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,400	£1,100	-21%
Transport	£80	£62	-22%
Council tax	£155	£155	0%
Groceries	£295	£280	-5%
Disposable income remaining	£447	£783	+75%

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 82 for Brighton and 72 for Edinburgh, a salary of £37,068 in Brighton delivers equivalent purchasing power to £32,550 in Edinburgh.

Brighton £37,068 ≈

£32,550

in Edinburgh

Income retention after all essentials

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

Brighton 18%

Edinburgh 31%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Brighton £3.12

Edinburgh £2.74

Transit (single trip)

Brighton £1.90

Edinburgh £1.48

Gym membership

Brighton £45/mo

Edinburgh £40/mo

Cinema ticket

Brighton £13.12

Edinburgh £11.52

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Brighton pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £293/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 Brighton vs Edinburgh? +

In Brighton: 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, Brighton leaves £1,117/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

What salary in Edinburgh matches Brighton purchasing power? +

Approximately £32,550 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Brighton, based on a cost-of-living index of 82 (Brighton) vs 72 (Edinburgh).

Is Brighton or Edinburgh cheaper to live in? +

Edinburgh is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 72 vs 82 for Brighton (London = 100). Rent in Brighton averages £1,400/month (1-bed) vs £1,100/month in Edinburgh.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Brighton earning £37,068 takes home £2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,400/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 56% (high pressure). In Edinburgh the equivalent ratio is 44%.