£37,068
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Real Winner
Edinburgh
Glasgow wins by £200/month disposable income over Glasgow.
£37,068
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Financial Grid
| Expense Category | Glasgow (Monthly) | Edinburgh (Monthly) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| home Rent (1-Bed City Centre) | £900 | £1,100 | -46.3% |
| train Commuting (Monthly Pass) | £185 | £62 | -66.5% |
| ⚡ Council Tax & Utilities | £307 | £285 | -7.2% |
| shopping_cart Groceries | £320 | £280 | -12.5% |
| Disposable Income Remaining | £1,610 | £1,410 | +270% |
Sources: NHS Employers Agenda for Change pay scales 2025/26 · ONS ASHE 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Q4 2025 · Revenue Scotland income tax rates 2025/26 · Numbeo COL Index 2025. Last updated: January 2026.
Live Roles · Updated Daily
Doctor Jobs in These Cities
Foundation Doctor — FY1
NHS Lothian · Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
£37,068
per year + TPS pension
via NHS Jobs · Posted 2 days ago
Foundation Doctor — FY2
King's College Hospital NHS Trust · Glasgow SE5
£37,068
per year inc. HCAS
via NHS Jobs · Posted 5 days ago
Specialty Doctor — General Practice
NHS Scotland · Multiple locations
£53,000+
Specialty grade
via NHS Scotland · Posted today
Income Retention
Efficiency
Despite the Glasgow salary premium, higher costs of living in the capital erode purchasing power significantly faster than in Edinburgh.
Pro Tip
"Relocating to Edinburgh effectively grants a massive boost in disposable income for NHS professionals."
- SalaryDex Career Insights
Lifestyle Anchors
Cappuccino
£3.95 / £3.20
Gasoline (1L)
£1.52 / £1.48
Gym Membership
£48 / £32
Cinema Ticket
£15 / £11.50
Ready to make the move?
47 doctor roles open in Edinburgh right now. Your £200/month salary boost is one application away.
Browse Edinburgh Roles →Featured Roles · Edinburgh
Specialty Registrar — Internal Medicine
NHS Lothian · Edinburgh · £51,017–£58,398
GP Partner — Edinburgh City Centre
Private Practice · Edinburgh · £90,000–£120,000
Listings powered by NHS Jobs · Reed.co.uk · Indeed
Top Financial Tools
On a doctor's salary (£37,000–£39,000), these cards are matched to your income level and suit the financial priorities of someone considering a city relocation.
Amex Preferred Rewards Gold
Best for relocation rewards
Barclaycard Avios Plus
Best for Glasgow ↔ Edinburgh travel
Chase UK Cashback
Best for everyday Edinburgh spending
Frequently asked questions
Updated Q1 2026 · Sources: NHS Employers, ONS ASHE 2025, Revenue Scotland
Do doctors earn more in Glasgow than Edinburgh? ▾
Yes. A foundation doctor earns £37,068 in Glasgow (including Glasgow HCAS) versus £37,068 in Edinburgh. However after rent and living costs, Edinburgh doctors have approximately £200 more disposable income per month.
What is the take-home pay for a doctor in Glasgow vs Edinburgh? ▾
On £37,068 (Glasgow), take-home is approximately £2,510/month after tax and NI. On £37,068 (Edinburgh), take-home is £2,510/month. After average rent, Edinburgh leaves £1,410/month vs Glasgow's £1,610/month.
Is Edinburgh cheaper than Glasgow for doctors? ▾
Yes — significantly. Edinburgh's average 1-bed rent is £1,100/month vs Glasgow's £900/month. Edinburgh's overall cost-of-living index is 72 vs Glasgow's 100. A doctor's Edinburgh salary delivers 28% more purchasing power than the equivalent Glasgow salary.
Is the tax rate different in Scotland for doctors? ▾
Yes. Scotland has its own income tax bands. At foundation doctor salary levels (£37,068), Scottish taxpayers pay approximately £168/year more than an equivalent English salary due to the 21% intermediate rate band. This small premium is far outweighed by Edinburgh's lower housing costs.
What salary in Edinburgh matches a Glasgow doctor lifestyle? ▾
Because Edinburgh's cost of living is 28% lower than Glasgow, a doctor earning £37,068 in Edinburgh maintains a significantly better lifestyle than the equivalent Glasgow salary of £37,068. No adjustment is needed — Edinburgh's lower salary delivers more disposable income.
Open roles matching this comparison