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

Newcastle vs Sheffield

Newcastle wins on purchasing power. Newcastle foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)s have £75/month more disposable income after rent than their Sheffield counterparts.

Newcastle salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Sheffield salary
£37,068
£2,517/mo take-home
Newcastle wins by
+£75
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Newcastle

After paying rent, a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Newcastle retains £75/month more than in Sheffield — that's £900/year extra in purchasing power.

+£75
per month
Newcastle
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £37,068
Net monthly £2,517
Rent (1-bed) £750
Rent-to-income 30% — Comfortable
After rent £1,767
Sheffield
View full breakdown →
Gross salary £37,068
Net monthly £2,517
Rent (1-bed) £825
Rent-to-income 33% — Comfortable
After rent £1,692

Newcastle vs Sheffield: what the £75/month gap means for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2)

On paper, Newcastle foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) roles pay £0/year more than Sheffield. But take-home after tax and National Insurance tells a different story — Newcastle workers keep £2,517/month versus £2,517/month in Sheffield.

The bigger picture is after rent. Average Newcastle rent runs £750/month versus £825/month in Sheffield. Once housing costs are factored in, Newcastle workers have £1,767/month disposable income versus £1,692/month in Sheffield — that is £900/year in real spending power.

Newcastle's rent-to-income ratio of 30% compares favourably to Sheffield's 33%.

Monthly cost comparison

All figures monthly · 2025/26

Category Newcastle Sheffield Delta
Rent (1-bed median) £750 £825 +10%
Transport £75 £65 -13%
Council tax £112 £126 +13%
Groceries £255 £265 +4%
Disposable income remaining £1,193 £1,102 -8%

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 61 for Newcastle and 63 for Sheffield, a salary of £37,068 in Newcastle delivers equivalent purchasing power to £38,300 in Sheffield.

Newcastle £37,068 ≈
£38,300
in Sheffield

Income retention after all essentials

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

Newcastle 47%
Sheffield 44%

Everyday costs

Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025

Cappuccino
Newcastle £2.32
Sheffield £2.39
Transit (single trip)
Newcastle £1.79
Sheffield £1.55
Gym membership
Newcastle £34/mo
Sheffield £35/mo
Cinema ticket
Newcastle £9.76
Sheffield £10.08

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Frequently asked questions

Does a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) earn more in Newcastle or Sheffield? +
Newcastle pays a median £37,068 vs £37,068 in Sheffield — a gross difference of £0. However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Newcastle professionals have £75/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 Newcastle vs Sheffield? +
In Newcastle: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. In Sheffield: gross £37,068£2,517/month net take-home. After paying median 1-bed rent, Newcastle leaves £1,767/month vs Sheffield's £1,692/month.
What salary in Sheffield matches Newcastle purchasing power? +
Approximately £38,300 in Sheffield delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,068 in Newcastle, based on a cost-of-living index of 61 (Newcastle) vs 63 (Sheffield).
Is Newcastle or Sheffield cheaper to live in? +
Newcastle is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 61 vs 63 for Sheffield (London = 100). Rent in Newcastle averages £750/month (1-bed) vs £825/month in Sheffield.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Newcastle? +
A foundation doctor (fy1/fy2) in Newcastle earning £37,068 takes home £2,517/month. With median 1-bed rent of £750/month, the rent-to-income ratio is 30% (comfortable). In Sheffield the equivalent ratio is 33%.

Explore further

Affordability and salary breakdowns for Newcastle and Sheffield

Afford Newcastle on £35,000? Afford Sheffield on £35,000?

Data sources & methodology

ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Tracker Q1 2026 · Numbeo Cost of Living 2026

Analysis by the SalaryDex data team · May 2026 · Corrections: [email protected] · Full methodology · Data transparency pledge