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

Edinburgh vs Glasgow

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

Edinburgh pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Glasgow. After living costs, Glasgow professionals have £200/month more disposable income.

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

In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. In Glasgow: £2,510/month net. After rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Glasgow's £1,610/month.

Q: What salary in Glasgow matches Edinburgh purchasing power?

Approximately £31,900 in Glasgow delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a COL index of 72 vs 62.

Q: Is Edinburgh or Glasgow cheaper to live in?

Glasgow is cheaper (COL 62 vs 72). Rent: Edinburgh £1,100/mo vs Glasgow £900/mo.

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

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh has a rent-to-income ratio of 44% (stretched). In Glasgow the equivalent is 36%.

Glasgow wins on purchasing power. Glasgow foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £200/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Glasgow salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Glasgow wins by

+£200

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Glasgow

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Glasgow retains £200/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £2,400/year extra in purchasing power.

+£200

per month

Edinburgh

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,510

Rent (1-bed) £1,100

Rent-to-income 44% — Stretched

After rent £1,410

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

Edinburgh vs Glasgow: what the £200/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, Edinburgh foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Glasgow. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Edinburgh workers keep £2,510/month versus £2,510/month in Glasgow.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Edinburgh rent runs £1,100/month versus £900/month in Glasgow. Once housing costs are factored in, Glasgow workers have £1,610/month disposable income versus £1,410/month in Edinburgh — that is £2,400/year in real spending power.

Glasgow's rent-to-income ratio of 36% compares favourably to Edinburgh's 44%.

For foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s prioritising financial freedom, Glasgow delivers significantly more disposable income despite comparable gross pay.

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Edinburgh	Glasgow	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,100	£900	-18%
Transport	£62	£55	-11%
Council tax	£155	£148	-5%
Groceries	£280	£265	-5%
Disposable income remaining	£783	£1,012	+29%

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

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 72 for Edinburgh and 62 for Glasgow, a salary of £37,068 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £31,900 in Glasgow.

Edinburgh £37,068 ≈

£31,900

in Glasgow

Income retention after all essentials

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

Edinburgh 31%

Glasgow 40%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Edinburgh £2.74

Glasgow £2.36

Transit (single trip)

Edinburgh £1.48

Glasgow £1.31

Gym membership

Edinburgh £40/mo

Glasgow £34/mo

Cinema ticket

Edinburgh £11.52

Glasgow £9.92

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Edinburgh or Glasgow? +

Edinburgh pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Glasgow — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Glasgow professionals have £200/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 Edinburgh vs Glasgow? +

In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Glasgow: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Glasgow's £1,610/month.

What salary in Glasgow matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +

Approximately £31,900 in Glasgow delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of 72 (Edinburgh) vs 62 (Glasgow).

Is Edinburgh or Glasgow cheaper to live in? +

Glasgow is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100). Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Glasgow.

What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh? +

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh earning £37,068 takes home £2,510/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,100/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 44% (stretched). In Glasgow the equivalent ratio is 36%.