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

London vs Aberdeen

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

London pays £39,068 vs £37,068 in Aberdeen. After living costs, Aberdeen professionals have £873/month more disposable income.

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

In London: £2,637/month net. In Aberdeen: £2,510/month net. After rent, London leaves £587/month vs Aberdeen's £1,460/month.

Q: What salary in Aberdeen matches London purchasing power?

Approximately £28,500 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a COL index of 100 vs 73.

Q: Is London or Aberdeen cheaper to live in?

Aberdeen is cheaper (COL 73 vs 100). Rent: London £2,050/mo vs Aberdeen £1,050/mo.

Q: What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in London?

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in London has a rent-to-income ratio of 78% (high pressure). In Aberdeen the equivalent is 42%.

Aberdeen wins on purchasing power. Aberdeen foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £873/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

London salary

£39,068

£2,637/mo take-home

Aberdeen salary

£37,068

£2,510/mo take-home

Aberdeen wins by

+£873

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Aberdeen

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Aberdeen retains £873/month more than in London — that's £10,476/year extra in purchasing power.

+£873

per month

London

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £39,068

Net monthly £2,637

Rent (1-bed) £2,050

Rent-to-income 78% — High pressure

After rent £587

Aberdeen

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,510

Rent (1-bed) £1,050

Rent-to-income 42% — Stretched

After rent £1,460

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	London	Aberdeen	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£2,050	£1,050	-49%
Transport	£185	£60	-68%
Council tax	£165	£148	-10%
Groceries	£320	£285	-11%
Disposable income remaining	£-225	£827	-468%

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 100 for London and 73 for Aberdeen, a salary of £39,068 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £28,500 in Aberdeen.

London £39,068 ≈

£28,500

in Aberdeen

Income retention after all essentials

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

London 0%

Aberdeen 33%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

London £3.80

Aberdeen £2.77

Transit (single trip)

London £4.40

Aberdeen £1.43

Gym membership

London £55/mo

Aberdeen £40/mo

Cinema ticket

London £16.00

Aberdeen £11.68

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in London or Aberdeen? +

London pays a median £39,068 vs £37,068 in Aberdeen — a gross difference of £2,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Aberdeen professionals have £873/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 London vs Aberdeen? +

In London: gross £39,068 → £2,637/month net take-home. In Aberdeen: gross £37,068 → £2,510/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, London leaves £587/month vs Aberdeen's £1,460/month.

What salary in Aberdeen matches London purchasing power? +

Approximately £28,500 in Aberdeen delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a cost-of-living index of 100 (London) vs 73 (Aberdeen).

Is London or Aberdeen cheaper to live in? +

Aberdeen is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 73 vs 100 for London (London = 100). Rent in London averages £2,050/month (1-bed) vs £1,050/month in Aberdeen.

What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in London? +

A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in London earning £39,068 takes home £2,637/month. With median 1-bed rent of £2,050/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 78% (high pressure). In Aberdeen the equivalent ratio is 42%.