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

Brighton vs London

Brighton wins on purchasing power. Brighton foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £630/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

Brighton salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
London salary
£39,068
£2,637/mo take-home
Brighton wins by
+£630
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Brighton

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Brighton retains £630/month more than in London — that's £7,560/year extra in purchasing power.

+£630
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
London
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £39,068
Net monthly £2,637
Rent (1-bed) £2,150
Rent-to-income 82% — High pressure
After rent £487

Brighton vs London: what the £630/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, Brighton foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £2,000/year less than London. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Brighton workers keep £2,517/month versus £2,637/month in London.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Brighton rent runs £1,400/month versus £2,150/month in London. Once housing costs are factored in, Brighton workers have £1,117/month disposable income versus £487/month in London — that is £7,560/year in real spending power.

Brighton's rent-to-income ratio of 56% compares favourably to London's 82%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Brighton London Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,400 £2,150 +54%
Transport £80 £185 +131%
Council tax £155 £165 +6%
Groceries £295 £320 +8%
Disposable income remaining £447 £-325 -173%

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 100 for London, a salary of £37,068 in Brighton delivers equivalent purchasing power to £45,200 in London.

Brighton £37,068 ≈
£45,200
in London

Income retention after all essentials

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

Brighton 18%
London 0%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Brighton £3.12
London £3.80
Transit (single trip)
Brighton £1.90
London £4.40
Gym membership
Brighton £45/mo
London £55/mo
Cinema ticket
Brighton £13.12
London £16.00

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Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Brighton or London? +
Brighton pays a median £37,068 vs £39,068 in London — a gross difference of £2,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Brighton professionals have £630/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 London? +
In Brighton: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. In London: gross £39,068£2,637/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Brighton leaves £1,117/month vs London's £487/month.
What salary in London matches Brighton purchasing power? +
Approximately £45,200 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Brighton, based on a cost-of-living index of 82 (Brighton) vs 100 (London).
Is Brighton or London cheaper to live in? +
Brighton is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 82 vs 100 for London (London = 100). Rent in Brighton averages £1,400/month (1-bed) vs £2,150/month in London.
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 London the equivalent ratio is 82%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Brighton and London

Afford Brighton on £35,000? Afford London on £40,000? Salary equivalence: Brighton → London

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