Winner on purchasing power
Leeds
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leeds retains
£150/month more than in Manchester —
that's £1,800/year extra in purchasing power.
Leeds
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,517
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
36% — Stretched
After rent
£1,617
Manchester
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£37,068
Net monthly
£2,517
Rent (1-bed)
£1,050
Rent-to-income
42% — Stretched
After rent
£1,467
Leeds vs Manchester: what the £150/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)
On paper, Leeds foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year
more than Manchester. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a
different story — Leeds workers keep £2,517/month versus
£2,517/month in Manchester.
The bigger picture is after rent. Average Leeds rent runs £900/month
versus £1,050/month in Manchester. Once housing costs are factored in,
Leeds workers have £1,617/month
disposable income versus £1,467/month in Manchester —
that is £1,800/year in real spending power.
Leeds's rent-to-income ratio of 36%
compares favourably to Manchester's 42%.
Monthly cost comparison
All figures monthly · 2025/26
| Category |
Leeds |
Manchester |
Delta |
| Rent (1-bed median) |
£900 |
£1,050 |
+17% |
| Transport |
£65 |
£75 |
+15% |
| Council tax |
£112 |
£128 |
+14% |
| Groceries |
£270 |
£280 |
+4% |
| Disposable income remaining |
£1,035 |
£839 |
-19% |
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 66 for Leeds
and 68 for Manchester,
a salary of £37,068 in Leeds delivers
equivalent purchasing power to £38,200 in Manchester.
Leeds £37,068 ≈
£38,200
in Manchester
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Leeds
£2.51
Manchester
£2.58
Transit (single trip)
Leeds
£1.55
Manchester
£1.79
Gym membership
Leeds
£36/mo
Manchester
£37/mo
Cinema ticket
Leeds
£10.56
Manchester
£10.88
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Frequently asked questions
Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Leeds or Manchester?
+
Leeds pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Manchester
— a gross difference of £0.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Leeds professionals
have £150/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 Leeds vs Manchester?
+
In Leeds: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
In Manchester: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Leeds leaves £1,617/month
vs Manchester's £1,467/month.
What salary in Manchester matches Leeds purchasing power?
+
Approximately £38,200 in Manchester delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£37,068 in Leeds, based on a cost-of-living index of
66 (Leeds) vs 68 (Manchester).
Is Leeds or Manchester cheaper to live in?
+
Leeds is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 66 vs 68 for Manchester (London = 100).
Rent in Leeds averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £1,050/month in Manchester.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leeds?
+
A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leeds earning £37,068 takes home
£2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £900/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 36%
(stretched).
In Manchester the equivalent ratio is 42%.