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

Bristol vs Liverpool

Liverpool wins on purchasing power. Liverpool foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £550/month more disposable income after rent than their Bristol counterparts.

Bristol salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Liverpool salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Liverpool wins by
+£550
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Liverpool

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Liverpool retains £550/month more than in Bristol — that's £6,600/year extra in purchasing power.

+£550
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
Liverpool
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £37,068
Net monthly £2,517
Rent (1-bed) £800
Rent-to-income 32% — Comfortable
After rent £1,717

Bristol vs Liverpool: what the £550/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Bristol rent runs £1,350/month versus £800/month in Liverpool. Once housing costs are factored in, Liverpool workers have £1,717/month disposable income versus £1,167/month in Bristol — that is £6,600/year in real spending power.

Liverpool's rent-to-income ratio of 32% compares favourably to Bristol's 54%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Bristol Liverpool Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,350 £800 -41%
Transport £80 £70 -12%
Council tax £148 £115 -22%
Groceries £285 £260 -9%
Disposable income remaining £518 £1,139 +120%

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 62 for Liverpool, a salary of £37,068 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £30,650 in Liverpool.

Bristol £37,068 ≈
£30,650
in Liverpool

Income retention after all essentials

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

Bristol 21%
Liverpool 45%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Bristol £2.85
Liverpool £2.36
Transit (single trip)
Bristol £1.90
Liverpool £1.67
Gym membership
Bristol £41/mo
Liverpool £34/mo
Cinema ticket
Bristol £12.00
Liverpool £9.92

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Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Bristol or Liverpool? +
Bristol pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Liverpool — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Liverpool professionals have £550/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 Liverpool? +
In Bristol: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. In Liverpool: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month vs Liverpool's £1,717/month.
What salary in Liverpool matches Bristol purchasing power? +
Approximately £30,650 in Liverpool delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of 75 (Bristol) vs 62 (Liverpool).
Is Bristol or Liverpool cheaper to live in? +
Liverpool is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 75 for Bristol (London = 100). Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed) vs £800/month in Liverpool.
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 Liverpool the equivalent ratio is 32%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Bristol and Liverpool

Afford Bristol on £35,000? Afford Liverpool on £35,000? Salary equivalence: Bristol → Liverpool

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