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

Bristol vs Leeds

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

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

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

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

Q: What salary in Leeds matches Bristol purchasing power?

Approximately £32,600 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Bristol, based on a COL index of 75 vs 66.

Q: Is Bristol or Leeds cheaper to live in?

Leeds is cheaper (COL 66 vs 75). Rent: Bristol £1,350/mo vs Leeds £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 Leeds the equivalent is 36%.

Leeds wins on purchasing power. Leeds 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

Leeds salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Leeds wins by

+£450

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Leeds

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leeds 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

Leeds

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £900

Rent-to-income 36% — Stretched

After rent £1,617

Bristol vs Leeds: what the £450/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Bristol rent runs £1,350/month versus £900/month in Leeds. Once housing costs are factored in, Leeds workers have £1,617/month disposable income versus £1,167/month in Bristol — that is £5,400/year in real spending power.

Leeds's rent-to-income ratio of 36% compares favourably to Bristol's 54%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Bristol	Leeds	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,350	£900	-33%
Transport	£80	£65	-19%
Council tax	£148	£112	-24%
Groceries	£285	£270	-5%
Disposable income remaining	£518	£1,035	+100%

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 66 for Leeds, a salary of £37,068 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £32,600 in Leeds.

Bristol £37,068 ≈

£32,600

in Leeds

Income retention after all essentials

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

Bristol 21%

Leeds 41%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Bristol £2.85

Leeds £2.51

Transit (single trip)

Bristol £1.90

Leeds £1.55

Gym membership

Bristol £41/mo

Leeds £36/mo

Cinema ticket

Bristol £12.00

Leeds £10.56

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

What salary in Leeds matches Bristol purchasing power? +

Approximately £32,600 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of 75 (Bristol) vs 66 (Leeds).

Is Bristol or Leeds cheaper to live in? +

Leeds is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 66 vs 75 for Bristol (London = 100). Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Leeds.

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 Leeds the equivalent ratio is 36%.