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

London vs Birmingham

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

London pays £39,068 vs £37,068 in Birmingham. After living costs, Birmingham professionals have £1,180/month more disposable income.

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

In London: £2,637/month net. In Birmingham: £2,517/month net. After rent, London leaves £487/month vs Birmingham's £1,667/month.

Q: What salary in Birmingham matches London purchasing power?

Approximately £25,400 in Birmingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a COL index of 100 vs 65.

Q: Is London or Birmingham cheaper to live in?

Birmingham is cheaper (COL 65 vs 100). Rent: London £2,150/mo vs Birmingham £850/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 82% (high pressure). In Birmingham the equivalent is 34%.

Birmingham wins on purchasing power. Birmingham foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £1,180/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

London salary

£39,068

£2,637/mo take-home

Birmingham salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Birmingham wins by

+£1,180

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Birmingham

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Birmingham retains £1,180/month more than in London — that's £14,160/year extra in purchasing power.

+£1,180

per month

London

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £39,068

Net monthly £2,637

Rent (1-bed) £2,150

Rent-to-income 82% — High pressure

After rent £487

Birmingham

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £850

Rent-to-income 34% — Stretched

After rent £1,667

London vs Birmingham: what the £1,180/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, London foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £2,000/year more than Birmingham. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — London workers keep £2,637/month versus £2,517/month in Birmingham.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average London rent runs £2,150/month versus £850/month in Birmingham. Once housing costs are factored in, Birmingham workers have £1,667/month disposable income versus £487/month in London — that is £14,160/year in real spending power.

Birmingham's rent-to-income ratio of 34% compares favourably to London's 82%.

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

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	London	Birmingham	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£2,150	£850	-60%
Transport	£185	£65	-65%
Council tax	£165	£118	-28%
Groceries	£320	£265	-17%
Disposable income remaining	£-325	£1,079	-432%

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 65 for Birmingham, a salary of £39,068 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £25,400 in Birmingham.

London £39,068 ≈

£25,400

in Birmingham

Income retention after all essentials

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

London 0%

Birmingham 43%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

London £3.80

Birmingham £2.47

Transit (single trip)

London £4.40

Birmingham £1.55

Gym membership

London £55/mo

Birmingham £36/mo

Cinema ticket

London £16.00

Birmingham £10.40

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

London pays a median £39,068 vs £37,068 in Birmingham — a gross difference of £2,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Birmingham professionals have £1,180/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 Birmingham? +

In London: gross £39,068 → £2,637/month net take-home. In Birmingham: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, London leaves £487/month vs Birmingham's £1,667/month.

What salary in Birmingham matches London purchasing power? +

Approximately £25,400 in Birmingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a cost-of-living index of 100 (London) vs 65 (Birmingham).

Is London or Birmingham cheaper to live in? +

Birmingham is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 65 vs 100 for London (London = 100). Rent in London averages £2,150/month (1-bed) vs £850/month in Birmingham.

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 £2,150/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 82% (high pressure). In Birmingham the equivalent ratio is 34%.