Cardiff vs Reading
Cardiff wins on purchasing power. Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £450/month more disposable income after rent than their Reading counterparts.
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff retains £450/month more than in Reading — that's £5,400/year extra in purchasing power.
Cardiff vs Reading: what the £450/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)
On paper, Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Reading. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Cardiff workers keep £2,517/month versus £2,517/month in Reading.
The bigger picture is after rent. Average Cardiff rent runs £900/month versus £1,350/month in Reading. Once housing costs are factored in, Cardiff workers have £1,617/month disposable income versus £1,167/month in Reading — that is £5,400/year in real spending power.
Cardiff's rent-to-income ratio of 36% compares favourably to Reading's 54%.
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 64 for Cardiff and 80 for Reading, a salary of £37,068 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £46,350 in Reading.
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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