Winner on purchasing power
Bristol
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Bristol retains
£100/month more than in Oxford —
that's £1,200/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
Oxford
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,517
Rent (1-bed)
£1,450
Rent-to-income
58% — High pressure
After rent
£1,067
Bristol vs Oxford: what the £100/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)
On paper, Bristol foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year
more than Oxford. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a
different story — Bristol workers keep £2,517/month versus
£2,517/month in Oxford.
The bigger picture is after rent. Average Bristol rent runs £1,350/month
versus £1,450/month in Oxford. Once housing costs are factored in,
Bristol workers have £1,167/month
disposable income versus £1,067/month in Oxford —
that is £1,200/year in real spending power.
Bristol's rent-to-income ratio of 54%
compares favourably to Oxford's 58%.
Monthly cost comparison
All figures monthly · 2025/26
| Category |
Bristol |
Oxford |
Delta |
| Rent (1-bed median) |
£1,350 |
£1,450 |
+7% |
| Transport |
£80 |
£80 |
0% |
| Council tax |
£148 |
£155 |
+5% |
| Groceries |
£285 |
£300 |
+5% |
| Disposable income remaining |
£518 |
£392 |
-24% |
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 85 for Oxford,
a salary of £37,068 in Bristol delivers
equivalent purchasing power to £42,000 in Oxford.
Bristol £37,068 ≈
£42,000
in Oxford
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
Oxford
£3.23
Transit (single trip)
Bristol
£1.90
Oxford
£1.90
Gym membership
Bristol
£41/mo
Oxford
£47/mo
Cinema ticket
Bristol
£12.00
Oxford
£13.60
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Frequently asked questions
Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Bristol or Oxford?
+
Bristol pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Oxford
— a gross difference of £0.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Bristol professionals
have £100/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 Oxford?
+
In Bristol: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
In Oxford: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £1,167/month
vs Oxford's £1,067/month.
What salary in Oxford matches Bristol purchasing power?
+
Approximately £42,000 in Oxford delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£37,068 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of
75 (Bristol) vs 85 (Oxford).
Is Bristol or Oxford cheaper to live in?
+
Bristol is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 75 vs 85 for Oxford (London = 100).
Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed)
vs £1,450/month in Oxford.
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 Oxford the equivalent ratio is 58%.