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

Edinburgh vs Leeds

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

Edinburgh pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Leeds. After living costs, Leeds professionals have £207/month more disposable income.

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

In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. In Leeds: £2,517/month net. After rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Leeds's £1,617/month.

Q: What salary in Leeds matches Edinburgh purchasing power?

Approximately £34,000 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a COL index of 72 vs 66.

Q: Is Edinburgh or Leeds cheaper to live in?

Leeds is cheaper (COL 66 vs 72). Rent: Edinburgh £1,100/mo vs Leeds £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 Leeds the equivalent is 36%.

Leeds wins on purchasing power. Leeds foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £207/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Leeds salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Leeds wins by

+£207

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Leeds

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leeds retains £207/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £2,484/year extra in purchasing power.

+£207

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

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

Edinburgh vs Leeds: what the £207/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, Edinburgh foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Leeds. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Edinburgh workers keep £2,510/month versus £2,517/month in Leeds.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Edinburgh rent runs £1,100/month versus £900/month in Leeds. Once housing costs are factored in, Leeds workers have £1,617/month disposable income versus £1,410/month in Edinburgh — that is £2,484/year in real spending power.

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

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Edinburgh	Leeds	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,100	£900	-18%
Transport	£62	£65	+5%
Council tax	£155	£112	-28%
Groceries	£280	£270	-4%
Disposable income remaining	£783	£1,035	+32%

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 66 for Leeds, a salary of £37,068 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £34,000 in Leeds.

Edinburgh £37,068 ≈

£34,000

in Leeds

Income retention after all essentials

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

Edinburgh 31%

Leeds 41%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Edinburgh £2.74

Leeds £2.51

Transit (single trip)

Edinburgh £1.48

Leeds £1.55

Gym membership

Edinburgh £40/mo

Leeds £36/mo

Cinema ticket

Edinburgh £11.52

Leeds £10.56

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Edinburgh pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Leeds — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Leeds professionals have £207/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 Leeds? +

In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Leeds: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Leeds's £1,617/month.

What salary in Leeds matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +

Approximately £34,000 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of 72 (Edinburgh) vs 66 (Leeds).

Is Edinburgh or Leeds cheaper to live in? +

Leeds is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 66 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100). Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Leeds.

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 Leeds the equivalent ratio is 36%.