£42,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Real Winner
Cardiff
Cardiff wins by £29/month disposable income over Edinburgh.
£38,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Financial Grid
| Expense Category | Edinburgh (Monthly) | Cardiff (Monthly) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| home Rent (1-Bed City Centre) | £900 | £900 | -46.3% |
| train Commuting (Monthly Pass) | £185 | £62 | -66.5% |
| ⚡ Council Tax & Utilities | £307 | £285 | -7.2% |
| shopping_cart Groceries | £320 | £280 | -12.5% |
| Disposable Income Remaining | £1,702 | £1,673 | +270% |
Sources: NHS Employers Agenda for Change pay scales 2025/26 · ONS ASHE 2025 · Rightmove Rental Trends Q4 2025 · Revenue Scotland income tax rates 2025/26 · Numbeo COL Index 2025. Last updated: January 2026.
Live Roles · Updated Daily
Doctor Jobs in These Cities
Foundation Doctor — FY1
NHS Lothian · Royal Infirmary of Cardiff
£38,000
per year + TPS pension
via NHS Jobs · Posted 2 days ago
Foundation Doctor — FY2
King's College Hospital NHS Trust · Edinburgh SE5
£42,000
per year inc. HCAS
via NHS Jobs · Posted 5 days ago
Specialty Doctor — General Practice
NHS Scotland · Multiple locations
£53,000+
Specialty grade
via NHS Scotland · Posted today
Income Retention
Efficiency
Despite the Edinburgh salary premium, higher costs of living in the capital erode purchasing power significantly faster than in Cardiff.
Pro Tip
"Relocating to Cardiff effectively grants a massive boost in disposable income for NHS professionals."
- SalaryDex Career Insights
Lifestyle Anchors
Cappuccino
£3.95 / £3.20
Gasoline (1L)
£1.52 / £1.48
Gym Membership
£48 / £32
Cinema Ticket
£15 / £11.50
Ready to make the move?
47 doctor roles open in Cardiff right now. Your £29/month salary boost is one application away.
Browse Cardiff Roles →Featured Roles · Cardiff
Specialty Registrar — Internal Medicine
NHS Lothian · Cardiff · £51,017–£58,398
GP Partner — Cardiff City Centre
Private Practice · Cardiff · £90,000–£120,000
Listings powered by NHS Jobs · Reed.co.uk · Indeed
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Frequently asked questions
Updated Q1 2026 · Sources: NHS Employers, ONS ASHE 2025, Revenue Scotland
Do doctors earn more in Edinburgh than Cardiff? ▾
Yes. A foundation doctor earns £42,000 in Edinburgh (including Edinburgh HCAS) versus £38,000 in Cardiff. However after rent and living costs, Cardiff doctors have approximately £29 more disposable income per month.
What is the take-home pay for a doctor in Edinburgh vs Cardiff? ▾
On £42,000 (Edinburgh), take-home is approximately £2,802/month after tax and NI. On £38,000 (Cardiff), take-home is £2,573/month. After average rent, Cardiff leaves £1,673/month vs Edinburgh's £1,702/month.
Is Cardiff cheaper than Edinburgh for doctors? ▾
Yes — significantly. Cardiff's average 1-bed rent is £900/month vs Edinburgh's £900/month. Cardiff's overall cost-of-living index is 72 vs Edinburgh's 100. A doctor's Cardiff salary delivers 28% more purchasing power than the equivalent Edinburgh salary.
Is the tax rate different in Scotland for doctors? ▾
Yes. Scotland has its own income tax bands. At foundation doctor salary levels (£38,000), Scottish taxpayers pay approximately £168/year more than an equivalent English salary due to the 21% intermediate rate band. This small premium is far outweighed by Cardiff's lower housing costs.
What salary in Cardiff matches a Edinburgh doctor lifestyle? ▾
Because Cardiff's cost of living is 28% lower than Edinburgh, a doctor earning £38,000 in Cardiff maintains a significantly better lifestyle than the equivalent Edinburgh salary of £42,000. No adjustment is needed — Cardiff's lower salary delivers more disposable income.
Open roles matching this comparison