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

Bristol vs Edinburgh

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

Bristol pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh. After living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £243/month more disposable income.

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

In Bristol: £2,517/month net. In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. After rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

Q: What salary in Edinburgh matches Bristol purchasing power?

Approximately £35,600 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Bristol, based on a COL index of 75 vs 72.

Q: Is Bristol or Edinburgh cheaper to live in?

Edinburgh is cheaper (COL 72 vs 75). Rent: Bristol £1,350/mo vs Edinburgh £1,100/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 Edinburgh the equivalent is 44%.

Edinburgh wins on purchasing power. Edinburgh foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £243/month more disposable income after rent than their Bristol counterparts.

Bristol salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Edinburgh wins by

+£243

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Edinburgh

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh retains £243/month more than in Bristol — that's £2,916/year extra in purchasing power.

+£243

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

Edinburgh

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,510

Rent (1-bed) £1,100

Rent-to-income 44% — Stretched

After rent £1,410

Bristol vs Edinburgh: what the £243/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, Bristol foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Edinburgh. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Bristol workers keep £2,517/month versus £2,510/month in Edinburgh.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Bristol rent runs £1,350/month versus £1,100/month in Edinburgh. Once housing costs are factored in, Edinburgh workers have £1,410/month disposable income versus £1,167/month in Bristol — that is £2,916/year in real spending power.

Edinburgh's rent-to-income ratio of 44% compares favourably to Bristol's 54%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Bristol	Edinburgh	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,350	£1,100	-19%
Transport	£80	£62	-22%
Council tax	£148	£155	+5%
Groceries	£285	£280	-2%
Disposable income remaining	£518	£783	+51%

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 72 for Edinburgh, a salary of £37,068 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £35,600 in Edinburgh.

Bristol £37,068 ≈

£35,600

in Edinburgh

Income retention after all essentials

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

Bristol 21%

Edinburgh 31%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Bristol £2.85

Edinburgh £2.74

Transit (single trip)

Bristol £1.90

Edinburgh £1.48

Gym membership

Bristol £41/mo

Edinburgh £40/mo

Cinema ticket

Bristol £12.00

Edinburgh £11.52

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Bristol pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Edinburgh — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £243/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 Edinburgh? +

In Bristol: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month vs Edinburgh's £1,410/month.

What salary in Edinburgh matches Bristol purchasing power? +

Approximately £35,600 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of 75 (Bristol) vs 72 (Edinburgh).

Is Bristol or Edinburgh cheaper to live in? +

Edinburgh is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 72 vs 75 for Bristol (London = 100). Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed) vs £1,100/month in Edinburgh.

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 Edinburgh the equivalent ratio is 44%.