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

Brighton vs Leicester

Leicester wins on purchasing power. Leicester foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £600/month more disposable income after rent than their Brighton counterparts.

Brighton salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Leicester salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Leicester wins by
+£600
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Leicester

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leicester retains £600/month more than in Brighton — that's £7,200/year extra in purchasing power.

+£600
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
Leicester
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £37,068
Net monthly £2,517
Rent (1-bed) £800
Rent-to-income 32% — Comfortable
After rent £1,717

Brighton vs Leicester: what the £600/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Brighton rent runs £1,400/month versus £800/month in Leicester. Once housing costs are factored in, Leicester workers have £1,717/month disposable income versus £1,117/month in Brighton — that is £7,200/year in real spending power.

Leicester's rent-to-income ratio of 32% compares favourably to Brighton's 56%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Brighton Leicester Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,400 £800 -43%
Transport £80 £62 -22%
Council tax £155 £118 -24%
Groceries £295 £258 -13%
Disposable income remaining £447 £1,146 +156%

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 63 for Leicester, a salary of £37,068 in Brighton delivers equivalent purchasing power to £28,500 in Leicester.

Brighton £37,068 ≈
£28,500
in Leicester

Income retention after all essentials

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

Brighton 18%
Leicester 46%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Brighton £3.12
Leicester £2.39
Transit (single trip)
Brighton £1.90
Leicester £1.48
Gym membership
Brighton £45/mo
Leicester £35/mo
Cinema ticket
Brighton £13.12
Leicester £10.08

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Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Brighton or Leicester? +
Brighton pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Leicester — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Leicester professionals have £600/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 Leicester? +
In Brighton: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. In Leicester: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Brighton leaves £1,117/month vs Leicester's £1,717/month.
What salary in Leicester matches Brighton purchasing power? +
Approximately £28,500 in Leicester delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Brighton, based on a cost-of-living index of 82 (Brighton) vs 63 (Leicester).
Is Brighton or Leicester cheaper to live in? +
Leicester is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 82 for Brighton (London = 100). Rent in Brighton averages £1,400/month (1-bed) vs £800/month in Leicester.
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 Leicester the equivalent ratio is 32%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Brighton and Leicester

Afford Brighton on £35,000? Afford Leicester on £35,000? Salary equivalence: Brighton → Leicester

Data sources & methodology

ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Tracker Q1 2026 · Numbeo Cost of Living 2026

Analysis by the SalaryDex data team · May 2026 · Corrections: [email protected] · Full methodology · Data transparency pledge