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

Brighton vs Leeds

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

Brighton pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Leeds. After living costs, Leeds professionals have £500/month more disposable income.

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

In Brighton: £2,517/month net. In Leeds: £2,517/month net. After rent, Brighton leaves £1,117/month vs Leeds's £1,617/month.

Q: What salary in Leeds matches Brighton purchasing power?

Approximately £29,850 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Brighton, based on a COL index of 82 vs 66.

Q: Is Brighton or Leeds cheaper to live in?

Leeds is cheaper (COL 66 vs 82). Rent: Brighton £1,400/mo vs Leeds £900/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 Leeds the equivalent is 36%.

Leeds wins on purchasing power. Leeds foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £500/month more disposable income after rent than their Brighton counterparts.

Brighton salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Leeds salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Leeds wins by

+£500

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Leeds

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leeds retains £500/month more than in Brighton — that's £6,000/year extra in purchasing power.

+£500

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

Leeds

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £900

Rent-to-income 36% — Stretched

After rent £1,617

Brighton vs Leeds: what the £500/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Brighton rent runs £1,400/month versus £900/month in Leeds. Once housing costs are factored in, Leeds workers have £1,617/month disposable income versus £1,117/month in Brighton — that is £6,000/year in real spending power.

Leeds's rent-to-income ratio of 36% compares favourably to Brighton's 56%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Brighton	Leeds	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,400	£900	-36%
Transport	£80	£65	-19%
Council tax	£155	£112	-28%
Groceries	£295	£270	-8%
Disposable income remaining	£447	£1,035	+132%

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 66 for Leeds, a salary of £37,068 in Brighton delivers equivalent purchasing power to £29,850 in Leeds.

Brighton £37,068 ≈

£29,850

in Leeds

Income retention after all essentials

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

Brighton 18%

Leeds 41%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Brighton £3.12

Leeds £2.51

Transit (single trip)

Brighton £1.90

Leeds £1.55

Gym membership

Brighton £45/mo

Leeds £36/mo

Cinema ticket

Brighton £13.12

Leeds £10.56

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Brighton pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Leeds — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Leeds professionals have £500/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 Leeds? +

In Brighton: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. In Leeds: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Brighton leaves £1,117/month vs Leeds's £1,617/month.

What salary in Leeds matches Brighton purchasing power? +

Approximately £29,850 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Brighton, based on a cost-of-living index of 82 (Brighton) vs 66 (Leeds).

Is Brighton or Leeds cheaper to live in? +

Leeds is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 66 vs 82 for Brighton (London = 100). Rent in Brighton averages £1,400/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Leeds.

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 Leeds the equivalent ratio is 36%.