Winner on purchasing power
Bristol
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol retains
£150/month more than in Cambridge —
that's £1,800/year extra in purchasing power.
Bristol
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,517
Rent (1-bed)
£1,350
Rent-to-income
54% — High pressure
After rent
£1,167
Cambridge
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,517
Rent (1-bed)
£1,500
Rent-to-income
60% — High pressure
After rent
£1,017
Bristol vs Cambridge: what the £150/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)
On paper, Bristol foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year
more than Cambridge. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a
different story — Bristol workers keep £2,517/month versus
£2,517/month in Cambridge.
The bigger picture is after rent. Average Bristol rent runs £1,350/month
versus £1,500/month in Cambridge. Once housing costs are factored in,
Bristol workers have £1,167/month
disposable income versus £1,017/month in Cambridge —
that is £1,800/year in real spending power.
Bristol's rent-to-income ratio of 54%
compares favourably to Cambridge's 60%.
Monthly cost comparison
All figures monthly · 2025/26
| Category |
Bristol |
Cambridge |
Delta |
| Rent (1-bed median) |
£1,350 |
£1,500 |
+11% |
| Transport |
£80 |
£75 |
-6% |
| Council tax |
£148 |
£155 |
+5% |
| Groceries |
£285 |
£300 |
+5% |
| Disposable income remaining |
£518 |
£347 |
-33% |
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 75 for Bristol
and 87 for Cambridge,
a salary of £37,068 in Bristol delivers
equivalent purchasing power to £43,000 in Cambridge.
Bristol £37,068 ≈
£43,000
in Cambridge
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Bristol
£2.85
Cambridge
£3.31
Transit (single trip)
Bristol
£1.90
Cambridge
£1.79
Gym membership
Bristol
£41/mo
Cambridge
£48/mo
Cinema ticket
Bristol
£12.00
Cambridge
£13.92
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Frequently asked questions
Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Bristol or Cambridge?
+
Bristol pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Cambridge
— a gross difference of £0.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Bristol professionals
have £150/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 Bristol vs Cambridge?
+
In Bristol: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
In Cambridge: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month
vs Cambridge's £1,017/month.
What salary in Cambridge matches Bristol purchasing power?
+
Approximately £43,000 in Cambridge delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£37,068 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of
75 (Bristol) vs 87 (Cambridge).
Is Bristol or Cambridge cheaper to live in?
+
Bristol is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 75 vs 87 for Cambridge (London = 100).
Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed)
vs £1,500/month in Cambridge.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol?
+
A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol earning £37,068 takes home
£2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,350/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 54%
(high pressure).
In Cambridge the equivalent ratio is 60%.