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

Edinburgh vs Reading

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

Edinburgh pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Reading. After living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £243/month more disposable income.

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

In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. In Reading: £2,517/month net. After rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Reading's £1,167/month.

Q: What salary in Reading matches Edinburgh purchasing power?

Approximately £41,200 in Reading delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a COL index of 72 vs 80.

Q: Is Edinburgh or Reading cheaper to live in?

Edinburgh is cheaper (COL 72 vs 80). Rent: Edinburgh £1,100/mo vs Reading £1,350/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 Reading the equivalent is 54%.

Edinburgh wins on purchasing power. Edinburgh foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £243/month more disposable income after rent than their Reading counterparts.

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Reading salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Edinburgh wins by

+£243

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Edinburgh

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Edinburgh retains £243/month more than in Reading — that's £2,916/year extra in purchasing power.

+£243

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

Reading

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £1,350

Rent-to-income 54% — High pressure

After rent £1,167

Edinburgh vs Reading: what the £243/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Edinburgh rent runs £1,100/month versus £1,350/month in Reading. Once housing costs are factored in, Edinburgh workers have £1,410/month disposable income versus £1,167/month in Reading — that is £2,916/year in real spending power.

Edinburgh's rent-to-income ratio of 44% compares favourably to Reading's 54%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Edinburgh	Reading	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,100	£1,350	+23%
Transport	£62	£85	+37%
Council tax	£155	£150	-3%
Groceries	£280	£290	+4%
Disposable income remaining	£783	£502	-36%

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 80 for Reading, a salary of £37,068 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £41,200 in Reading.

Edinburgh £37,068 ≈

£41,200

in Reading

Income retention after all essentials

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

Edinburgh 31%

Reading 20%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Edinburgh £2.74

Reading £3.04

Transit (single trip)

Edinburgh £1.48

Reading £2.02

Gym membership

Edinburgh £40/mo

Reading £44/mo

Cinema ticket

Edinburgh £11.52

Reading £12.80

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Edinburgh pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Reading — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Edinburgh professionals have £243/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 Reading? +

In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Reading: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Reading's £1,167/month.

What salary in Reading matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +

Approximately £41,200 in Reading delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of 72 (Edinburgh) vs 80 (Reading).

Is Edinburgh or Reading cheaper to live in? +

Edinburgh is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 72 vs 80 for Reading (London = 100). Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed) vs £1,350/month in Reading.

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 Reading the equivalent ratio is 54%.