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

Bristol vs Cardiff

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

Bristol pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Cardiff. After living costs, Cardiff professionals have £450/month more disposable income.

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

In Bristol: £2,517/month net. In Cardiff: £2,517/month net. After rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month vs Cardiff's £1,617/month.

Q: What salary in Cardiff matches Bristol purchasing power?

Approximately £31,650 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Bristol, based on a COL index of 75 vs 64.

Q: Is Bristol or Cardiff cheaper to live in?

Cardiff is cheaper (COL 64 vs 75). Rent: Bristol £1,350/mo vs Cardiff £900/mo.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol has a rent-to-income ratio of 54% (high pressure). In Cardiff the equivalent is 36%.

Cardiff wins on purchasing power. Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £450/month more disposable income after rent than their Bristol counterparts.

Bristol salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Cardiff salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Cardiff wins by

+£450

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Cardiff

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff retains £450/month more than in Bristol — that's £5,400/year extra in purchasing power.

+£450

per month

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

Cardiff

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £900

Rent-to-income 36% — Stretched

After rent £1,617

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Bristol	Cardiff	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,350	£900	-33%
Transport	£80	£50	-37%
Council tax	£148	£132	-11%
Groceries	£285	£255	-11%
Disposable income remaining	£518	£1,047	+102%

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 64 for Cardiff, a salary of £37,068 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £31,650 in Cardiff.

Bristol £37,068 ≈

£31,650

in Cardiff

Income retention after all essentials

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

Bristol 21%

Cardiff 42%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Bristol £2.85

Cardiff £2.43

Transit (single trip)

Bristol £1.90

Cardiff £1.19

Gym membership

Bristol £41/mo

Cardiff £35/mo

Cinema ticket

Bristol £12.00

Cardiff £10.24

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Bristol or Cardiff? +

Bristol pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Cardiff — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Cardiff professionals have £450/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 Cardiff? +

In Bristol: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. In Cardiff: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month vs Cardiff's £1,617/month.

What salary in Cardiff matches Bristol purchasing power? +

Approximately £31,650 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of 75 (Bristol) vs 64 (Cardiff).

Is Bristol or Cardiff cheaper to live in? +

Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 75 for Bristol (London = 100). Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Cardiff.

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 Cardiff the equivalent ratio is 36%.