London vs York
York wins on purchasing power. York foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £1,080/month more disposable income after rent than their London counterparts.
After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in York retains £1,080/month more than in London — that's £12,960/year extra in purchasing power.
London vs York: what the £1,080/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)
On paper, London foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £2,000/year more than York. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — London workers keep £2,637/month versus £2,517/month in York.
The bigger picture is after rent. Average London rent runs £2,150/month versus £950/month in York. Once housing costs are factored in, York workers have £1,567/month disposable income versus £487/month in London — that is £12,960/year in real spending power.
York's rent-to-income ratio of 38% compares favourably to London's 82%.
For foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s prioritising financial freedom, York 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 68 for York, a salary of £39,068 in London delivers equivalent purchasing power to £26,550 in York.
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
Financial tools
Popular products for UK earners