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

Exeter vs Liverpool

Liverpool wins on purchasing power. Liverpool foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £200/month more disposable income after rent than their Exeter counterparts.

Exeter salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Liverpool salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Liverpool wins by
+£200
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Liverpool

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Liverpool retains £200/month more than in Exeter — that's £2,400/year extra in purchasing power.

+£200
per month
Exeter
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £37,068
Net monthly £2,517
Rent (1-bed) £1,000
Rent-to-income 40% — Stretched
After rent £1,517
Liverpool
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £37,068
Net monthly £2,517
Rent (1-bed) £800
Rent-to-income 32% — Comfortable
After rent £1,717

Exeter vs Liverpool: what the £200/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

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

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Exeter rent runs £1,000/month versus £800/month in Liverpool. Once housing costs are factored in, Liverpool workers have £1,717/month disposable income versus £1,517/month in Exeter — that is £2,400/year in real spending power.

Liverpool's rent-to-income ratio of 32% compares favourably to Exeter's 40%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Exeter Liverpool Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £1,000 £800 -20%
Transport £68 £70 +3%
Council tax £125 £115 -8%
Groceries £272 £260 -4%
Disposable income remaining £917 £1,139 +24%

Sources: NHS Employers 2025/26 · Rightmove Q4 2025 · HMRC 2025/26 · Numbeo 2025

Cost-of-living equivalence

Based on a cost-of-living index of 70 for Exeter and 62 for Liverpool, a salary of £37,068 in Exeter delivers equivalent purchasing power to £32,850 in Liverpool.

Exeter £37,068 ≈
£32,850
in Liverpool

Income retention after all essentials

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

Exeter 36%
Liverpool 45%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Exeter £2.66
Liverpool £2.36
Transit (single trip)
Exeter £1.62
Liverpool £1.67
Gym membership
Exeter £39/mo
Liverpool £34/mo
Cinema ticket
Exeter £11.20
Liverpool £9.92

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Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Exeter or Liverpool? +
Exeter pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Liverpool — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Liverpool professionals have £200/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 Exeter vs Liverpool? +
In Exeter: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. In Liverpool: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Exeter leaves £1,517/month vs Liverpool's £1,717/month.
What salary in Liverpool matches Exeter purchasing power? +
Approximately £32,850 in Liverpool delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Exeter, based on a cost-of-living index of 70 (Exeter) vs 62 (Liverpool).
Is Exeter or Liverpool cheaper to live in? +
Liverpool is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 62 vs 70 for Exeter (London = 100). Rent in Exeter averages £1,000/month (1-bed) vs £800/month in Liverpool.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Exeter? +
A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Exeter earning £37,068 takes home £2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,000/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 40% (stretched). In Liverpool the equivalent ratio is 32%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Exeter and Liverpool

Afford Exeter on £35,000? Afford Liverpool on £35,000? Salary equivalence: Exeter → Liverpool

Data sources & methodology

ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Tracker Q1 2026 · Numbeo Cost of Living 2026

Analysis by the SalaryDex data team · May 2026 · Corrections: [email protected] · Full methodology · Data transparency pledge