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

Cardiff vs Newcastle

Q: Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Cardiff or Newcastle?

Cardiff pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Newcastle. After living costs, Newcastle professionals have £150/month more disposable income.

Q: What is the take-home pay for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff vs Newcastle?

In Cardiff: £2,517/month net. In Newcastle: £2,517/month net. After rent, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month vs Newcastle's £1,767/month.

Q: What salary in Newcastle matches Cardiff purchasing power?

Approximately £35,350 in Newcastle delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Cardiff, based on a COL index of 64 vs 61.

Q: Is Cardiff or Newcastle cheaper to live in?

Newcastle is cheaper (COL 61 vs 64). Rent: Cardiff £900/mo vs Newcastle £750/mo.

Q: What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff?

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff has a rent-to-income ratio of 36% (stretched). In Newcastle the equivalent is 30%.

Newcastle wins on purchasing power. Newcastle foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £150/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.

Cardiff salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Newcastle salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Newcastle wins by

+£150

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Newcastle

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Newcastle retains £150/month more than in Cardiff — that's £1,800/year extra in purchasing power.

+£150

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

Newcastle

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £750

Rent-to-income 30% — Comfortable

After rent £1,767

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Cardiff	Newcastle	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£900	£750	-17%
Transport	£50	£75	+50%
Council tax	£132	£112	-15%
Groceries	£255	£255	0%
Disposable income remaining	£1,047	£1,193	+14%

Sources: NHS Wales 2025/26 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 61 for Newcastle, a salary of £37,068 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £35,350 in Newcastle.

Cardiff £37,068 ≈

£35,350

in Newcastle

Income retention after all essentials

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

Cardiff 42%

Newcastle 47%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Cardiff £2.43

Newcastle £2.32

Transit (single trip)

Cardiff £1.19

Newcastle £1.79

Gym membership

Cardiff £35/mo

Newcastle £34/mo

Cinema ticket

Cardiff £10.24

Newcastle £9.76

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Cardiff or Newcastle? +

Cardiff pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Newcastle — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Newcastle professionals have £150/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 Newcastle? +

In Cardiff: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. In Newcastle: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month vs Newcastle's £1,767/month.

What salary in Newcastle matches Cardiff purchasing power? +

Approximately £35,350 in Newcastle delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of 64 (Cardiff) vs 61 (Newcastle).

Is Cardiff or Newcastle cheaper to live in? +

Newcastle is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 61 vs 64 for Cardiff (London = 100). Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed) vs £750/month in Newcastle.

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 Newcastle the equivalent ratio is 30%.