Foundation Doctor (FY1/FY2) · City comparison · 2026
Cardiff vs Glasgow
Cardiff wins on purchasing power. Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £7/month more disposable income after rent than their Glasgow counterparts.
Cardiff salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Glasgow salary
£37,068
£2,510/mo take-home
Cardiff wins by
+£7
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Cardiff
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff retains £7/month more than in Glasgow — that's £84/year extra in purchasing power.
+£7
per month
Cardiff
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,517
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
36% — Stretched
After rent
£1,617
Glasgow
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,510
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
36% — Stretched
After rent
£1,610
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 62 for Glasgow, a salary of £37,068 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £35,900 in Glasgow.
Cardiff £37,068 ≈
£35,900
in Glasgow
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Cardiff
42%
Glasgow
40%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Cardiff
£2.43
Glasgow
£2.36
Transit (single trip)
Cardiff
£1.19
Glasgow
£1.31
Gym membership
Cardiff
£35/mo
Glasgow
£34/mo
Cinema ticket
Cardiff
£10.24
Glasgow
£9.92
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Frequently asked questions
Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Cardiff or Glasgow? +
Cardiff pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Glasgow
— a gross difference of £0.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Cardiff professionals
have £7/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 Cardiff vs Glasgow? +
In Cardiff: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
In Glasgow: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month
vs Glasgow's £1,610/month.
What salary in Glasgow matches Cardiff purchasing power? +
Approximately £35,900 in Glasgow delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£37,068 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of
64 (Cardiff) vs 62 (Glasgow).
Is Cardiff or Glasgow cheaper to live in? +
Glasgow is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 64 for Cardiff (London = 100).
Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £900/month in Glasgow.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff? +
A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff earning £37,068 takes home
£2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £900/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 36%
(stretched).
In Glasgow the equivalent ratio is 36%.