Cambridge vs Cardiff
Cardiff wins on purchasing power. Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £600/month more disposable income after rent than their Cambridge counterparts.
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff retains £600/month more than in Cambridge — that's £7,200/year extra in purchasing power.
Cambridge vs Cardiff: what the £600/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)
On paper, Cambridge foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Cardiff. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Cambridge workers keep £2,517/month versus £2,517/month in Cardiff.
The bigger picture is after rent. Average Cambridge rent runs £1,500/month versus £900/month in Cardiff. Once housing costs are factored in, Cardiff workers have £1,617/month disposable income versus £1,017/month in Cambridge — that is £7,200/year in real spending power.
Cardiff's rent-to-income ratio of 36% compares favourably to Cambridge's 60%.
For foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s prioritising financial freedom, Cardiff delivers significantly more disposable income despite comparable gross pay.
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 87 for Cambridge and 64 for Cardiff, a salary of £37,068 in Cambridge delivers equivalent purchasing power to £27,250 in Cardiff.
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
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