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

Edinburgh vs Newcastle

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

Edinburgh pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Newcastle. After living costs, Newcastle professionals have £357/month more disposable income.

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

In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. In Newcastle: £2,517/month net. After rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Newcastle's £1,767/month.

Q: What salary in Newcastle matches Edinburgh purchasing power?

Approximately £31,400 in Newcastle delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a COL index of 72 vs 61.

Q: Is Edinburgh or Newcastle cheaper to live in?

Newcastle is cheaper (COL 61 vs 72). Rent: Edinburgh £1,100/mo vs Newcastle £750/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 Newcastle the equivalent is 30%.

Newcastle wins on purchasing power. Newcastle foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £357/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Newcastle salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Newcastle wins by

+£357

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Newcastle

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Newcastle retains £357/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £4,284/year extra in purchasing power.

+£357

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

Newcastle

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £750

Rent-to-income 30% — Comfortable

After rent £1,767

Edinburgh vs Newcastle: what the £357/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Edinburgh rent runs £1,100/month versus £750/month in Newcastle. Once housing costs are factored in, Newcastle workers have £1,767/month disposable income versus £1,410/month in Edinburgh — that is £4,284/year in real spending power.

Newcastle's rent-to-income ratio of 30% compares favourably to Edinburgh's 44%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Edinburgh	Newcastle	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,100	£750	-32%
Transport	£62	£75	+21%
Council tax	£155	£112	-28%
Groceries	£280	£255	-9%
Disposable income remaining	£783	£1,193	+52%

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 61 for Newcastle, a salary of £37,068 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £31,400 in Newcastle.

Edinburgh £37,068 ≈

£31,400

in Newcastle

Income retention after all essentials

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

Edinburgh 31%

Newcastle 47%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Edinburgh £2.74

Newcastle £2.32

Transit (single trip)

Edinburgh £1.48

Newcastle £1.79

Gym membership

Edinburgh £40/mo

Newcastle £34/mo

Cinema ticket

Edinburgh £11.52

Newcastle £9.76

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Edinburgh pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Newcastle — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Newcastle professionals have £357/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 Newcastle? +

In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Newcastle: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Newcastle's £1,767/month.

What salary in Newcastle matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +

Approximately £31,400 in Newcastle delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of 72 (Edinburgh) vs 61 (Newcastle).

Is Edinburgh or Newcastle cheaper to live in? +

Newcastle is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 61 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100). Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed) vs £750/month in Newcastle.

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 Newcastle the equivalent ratio is 30%.