Foundation Doctor (FY1/FY2) · City comparison · 2026
Cardiff vs Leeds
Cardiff wins on purchasing power. Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £0/month more disposable income after rent than their Leeds counterparts.
Cardiff salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Leeds salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Cardiff wins by
+£0
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Cardiff
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff retains £0/month more than in Leeds — that's £0/year extra in purchasing power.
+£0
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
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
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 66 for Leeds, a salary of £37,068 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £38,250 in Leeds.
Cardiff £37,068 ≈
£38,250
in Leeds
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Cardiff
42%
Leeds
41%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Cardiff
£2.43
Leeds
£2.51
Transit (single trip)
Cardiff
£1.19
Leeds
£1.55
Gym membership
Cardiff
£35/mo
Leeds
£36/mo
Cinema ticket
Cardiff
£10.24
Leeds
£10.56
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Frequently asked questions
Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Cardiff or Leeds? +
Cardiff pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Leeds
— a gross difference of £0.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Cardiff professionals
have £0/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 Leeds? +
In Cardiff: 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, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month
vs Leeds's £1,617/month.
What salary in Leeds matches Cardiff purchasing power? +
Approximately £38,250 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£37,068 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of
64 (Cardiff) vs 66 (Leeds).
Is Cardiff or Leeds cheaper to live in? +
Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 66 for Leeds (London = 100).
Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £900/month in Leeds.
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 Leeds the equivalent ratio is 36%.