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

Edinburgh vs Sheffield

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

Edinburgh pays £37,068 vs £37,068 in Sheffield. After living costs, Sheffield professionals have £282/month more disposable income.

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

In Edinburgh: £2,510/month net. In Sheffield: £2,517/month net. After rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Sheffield's £1,692/month.

Q: What salary in Sheffield matches Edinburgh purchasing power?

Approximately £32,450 in Sheffield delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a COL index of 72 vs 63.

Q: Is Edinburgh or Sheffield cheaper to live in?

Sheffield is cheaper (COL 63 vs 72). Rent: Edinburgh £1,100/mo vs Sheffield £825/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 Sheffield the equivalent is 33%.

Sheffield wins on purchasing power. Sheffield foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £282/month more disposable income after rent than their Edinburgh counterparts.

Edinburgh salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Sheffield salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Sheffield wins by

+£282

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Sheffield

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Sheffield retains £282/month more than in Edinburgh — that's £3,384/year extra in purchasing power.

+£282

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

Sheffield

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £825

Rent-to-income 33% — Comfortable

After rent £1,692

Edinburgh vs Sheffield: what the £282/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Edinburgh rent runs £1,100/month versus £825/month in Sheffield. Once housing costs are factored in, Sheffield workers have £1,692/month disposable income versus £1,410/month in Edinburgh — that is £3,384/year in real spending power.

Sheffield's rent-to-income ratio of 33% compares favourably to Edinburgh's 44%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	Edinburgh	Sheffield	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£1,100	£825	-25%
Transport	£62	£65	+5%
Council tax	£155	£126	-19%
Groceries	£280	£265	-5%
Disposable income remaining	£783	£1,102	+41%

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 63 for Sheffield, a salary of £37,068 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to £32,450 in Sheffield.

Edinburgh £37,068 ≈

£32,450

in Sheffield

Income retention after all essentials

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

Edinburgh 31%

Sheffield 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

Edinburgh £2.74

Sheffield £2.39

Transit (single trip)

Edinburgh £1.48

Sheffield £1.55

Gym membership

Edinburgh £40/mo

Sheffield £35/mo

Cinema ticket

Edinburgh £11.52

Sheffield £10.08

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

Edinburgh pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Sheffield — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Sheffield professionals have £282/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 Sheffield? +

In Edinburgh: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. In Sheffield: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Sheffield's £1,692/month.

What salary in Sheffield matches Edinburgh purchasing power? +

Approximately £32,450 in Sheffield delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Edinburgh, based on a cost-of-living index of 72 (Edinburgh) vs 63 (Sheffield).

Is Edinburgh or Sheffield cheaper to live in? +

Sheffield is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100). Rent in Edinburgh averages £1,100/month (1-bed) vs £825/month in Sheffield.

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 Sheffield the equivalent ratio is 33%.