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

Edinburgh vs Manchester

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

Edinburgh pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Manchester. After living costs, Manchester professionals have £57/month more disposable income.

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

In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. In Manchester: £2,517/month net. After rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Manchester's £1,467/month.

Q: What salary in Manchester matches Edinburgh purchasing power?

Approximately £35,000 in Manchester delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a COL index of 72 vs 68.

Q: Is Edinburgh or Manchester cheaper to live in?

Manchester is cheaper (COL 68 vs 72). Rent: Edinburgh £1,100/mo vs Manchester £1,050/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 Manchester the equivalent is 42%.

Manchester wins on purchasing power. Manchester foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £57/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Manchester salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Manchester wins by

+£57

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Manchester

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Manchester retains £57/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £684/year extra in purchasing power.

+£57

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

Manchester

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £1,050

Rent-to-income 42% — Stretched

After rent £1,467

Edinburgh vs Manchester: what the £57/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Edinburgh rent runs £1,100/month versus £1,050/month in Manchester. Once housing costs are factored in, Manchester workers have £1,467/month disposable income versus £1,410/month in Edinburgh — that is £684/year in real spending power.

Manchester's rent-to-income ratio of 42% compares favourably to Edinburgh's 44%.

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Edinburgh	Manchester	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,100	£1,050	-5%
Transport	£62	£75	+21%
Council tax	£155	£128	-17%
Groceries	£280	£280	0%
Disposable income remaining	£783	£839	+7%

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 68 for Manchester, a salary of £37,068 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £35,000 in Manchester.

Edinburgh £37,068 ≈

£35,000

in Manchester

Income retention after all essentials

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

Edinburgh 31%

Manchester 33%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Edinburgh £2.74

Manchester £2.58

Transit (single trip)

Edinburgh £1.48

Manchester £1.79

Gym membership

Edinburgh £40/mo

Manchester £37/mo

Cinema ticket

Edinburgh £11.52

Manchester £10.88

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Edinburgh pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Manchester — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Manchester professionals have £57/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 Manchester? +

In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Manchester: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Manchester's £1,467/month.

What salary in Manchester matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +

Approximately £35,000 in Manchester delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of 72 (Edinburgh) vs 68 (Manchester).

Is Edinburgh or Manchester cheaper to live in? +

Manchester is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 68 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100). Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed) vs £1,050/month in Manchester.

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 Manchester the equivalent ratio is 42%.