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

Cardiff vs Nottingham

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

Cardiff pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Nottingham. After living costs, Nottingham professionals have £50/month more disposable income.

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

In Cardiff: £2,517/month net. In Nottingham: £2,517/month net. After rent, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month vs Nottingham's £1,667/month.

Q: What salary in Nottingham matches Cardiff purchasing power?

Approximately £36,500 in Nottingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Cardiff, based on a COL index of 64 vs 63.

Q: Is Cardiff or Nottingham cheaper to live in?

Nottingham is cheaper (COL 63 vs 64). Rent: Cardiff £900/mo vs Nottingham £850/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 Nottingham the equivalent is 34%.

Nottingham wins on purchasing power. Nottingham foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £50/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.

Cardiff salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Nottingham salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Nottingham wins by

+£50

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Nottingham

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Nottingham retains £50/month more than in Cardiff — that's £600/year extra in purchasing power.

+£50

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

Nottingham

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £850

Rent-to-income 34% — Stretched

After rent £1,667

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Cardiff	Nottingham	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£900	£850	-6%
Transport	£50	£58	+16%
Council tax	£132	£118	-11%
Groceries	£255	£260	+2%
Disposable income remaining	£1,047	£1,098	+5%

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 63 for Nottingham, a salary of £37,068 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £36,500 in Nottingham.

Cardiff £37,068 ≈

£36,500

in Nottingham

Income retention after all essentials

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

Cardiff 42%

Nottingham 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Cardiff £2.43

Nottingham £2.39

Transit (single trip)

Cardiff £1.19

Nottingham £1.38

Gym membership

Cardiff £35/mo

Nottingham £35/mo

Cinema ticket

Cardiff £10.24

Nottingham £10.08

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Cardiff pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Nottingham — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Nottingham professionals have £50/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 Nottingham? +

In Cardiff: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. In Nottingham: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £1,617/month vs Nottingham's £1,667/month.

What salary in Nottingham matches Cardiff purchasing power? +

Approximately £36,500 in Nottingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of 64 (Cardiff) vs 63 (Nottingham).

Is Cardiff or Nottingham cheaper to live in? +

Nottingham is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 64 for Cardiff (London = 100). Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed) vs £850/month in Nottingham.

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 Nottingham the equivalent ratio is 34%.