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

London vs Cardiff

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

London pays £39,068 vs £37,068 in Cardiff. After living costs, Cardiff professionals have £1,030/month more disposable income.

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

In London: £2,637/month net. In Cardiff: £2,517/month net. After rent, London leaves £587/month vs Cardiff's £1,617/month.

Q: What salary in Cardiff matches London purchasing power?

Approximately £25,000 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a COL index of 100 vs 64.

Q: Is London or Cardiff cheaper to live in?

Cardiff is cheaper (COL 64 vs 100). Rent: London £2,050/mo vs Cardiff £900/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 Cardiff the equivalent is 36%.

Cardiff wins on purchasing power. Cardiff foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £1,030/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.

London salary

£39,068

£2,637/mo take-home

Cardiff salary

£37,068

£2,517/mo take-home

Cardiff wins by

+£1,030

per month after rent

Winner on purchasing power

Cardiff

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Cardiff retains £1,030/month more than in London — that's £12,360/year extra in purchasing power.

+£1,030

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

Cardiff

View full breakdown →

Gross salary £37,068

Net monthly £2,517

Rent (1-bed) £900

Rent-to-income 36% — Stretched

After rent £1,617

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category	London	Cardiff	Delta
Rent (1-bed median)	£2,050	£900	-56%
Transport	£185	£50	-73%
Council tax	£165	£132	-20%
Groceries	£320	£255	-20%
Disposable income remaining	£-225	£1,047	-565%

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 64 for Cardiff, a salary of £39,068 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £25,000 in Cardiff.

London £39,068 ≈

£25,000

in Cardiff

Income retention after all essentials

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

London 0%

Cardiff 42%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino

London £3.80

Cardiff £2.43

Transit (single trip)

London £4.40

Cardiff £1.19

Gym membership

London £55/mo

Cardiff £35/mo

Cinema ticket

London £16.00

Cardiff £10.24

Financial tools

Frequently asked questions

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

London pays a median £39,068 vs £37,068 in Cardiff — a gross difference of £2,000. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Cardiff professionals have £1,030/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 Cardiff? +

In London: gross £39,068 → £2,637/month net take-home. In Cardiff: gross £37,068 → £2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, London leaves £587/month vs Cardiff's £1,617/month.

What salary in Cardiff matches London purchasing power? +

Approximately £25,000 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,068 in London, based on a cost-of-living index of 100 (London) vs 64 (Cardiff).

Is London or Cardiff cheaper to live in? +

Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 100 for London (London = 100). Rent in London averages £2,050/month (1-bed) vs £900/month in Cardiff.

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 Cardiff the equivalent ratio is 36%.