London vs Leeds
Leeds wins on purchasing power. Leeds foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £1,130/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Leeds retains £1,130/month more than in London — that's £13,560/year extra in purchasing power.
London vs Leeds: what the £1,130/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)
On paper, London foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £2,000/year more than Leeds. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — London workers keep £2,637/month versus £2,517/month in Leeds.
The bigger picture is after rent. Average London rent runs £2,150/month versus £900/month in Leeds. Once housing costs are factored in, Leeds workers have £1,617/month disposable income versus £487/month in London — that is £13,560/year in real spending power.
Leeds's rent-to-income ratio of 36% compares favourably to London's 82%.
For foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s prioritising financial freedom, Leeds delivers significantly more disposable income despite lower gross pay.
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 100 for London and 66 for Leeds, a salary of £39,068 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £25,800 in Leeds.
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
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