£65,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Real Winner
Manchester
Manchester wins by £517/month disposable income over London.
£55,000
Foundation Doctor Salary (FY1/FY2)
The Financial Grid
| Expense Category | London (Monthly) | Manchester (Monthly) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| home Rent (1-Bed City Centre) | £2,050 | £1,050 | -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 | £1,971 | £2,488 | +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 Manchester
£55,000
per year + TPS pension
via NHS Jobs · Posted 2 days ago
Foundation Doctor — FY2
King's College Hospital NHS Trust · London SE5
£65,000
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 London salary premium, higher costs of living in the capital erode purchasing power significantly faster than in Manchester.
Pro Tip
"Relocating to Manchester 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 Manchester right now. Your £517/month salary boost is one application away.
Browse Manchester Roles →Featured Roles · Manchester
Specialty Registrar — Internal Medicine
NHS Lothian · Manchester · £51,017–£58,398
GP Partner — Manchester City Centre
Private Practice · Manchester · £90,000–£120,000
Listings powered by NHS Jobs · Reed.co.uk · Indeed
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Chase UK Cashback
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Frequently asked questions
Updated Q1 2026 · Sources: NHS Employers, ONS ASHE 2025, Revenue Scotland
Do doctors earn more in London than Manchester? ▾
Yes. A foundation doctor earns £65,000 in London (including London HCAS) versus £55,000 in Manchester. However after rent and living costs, Manchester doctors have approximately £517 more disposable income per month.
What is the take-home pay for a doctor in London vs Manchester? ▾
On £65,000 (London), take-home is approximately £4,021/month after tax and NI. On £55,000 (Manchester), take-home is £3,538/month. After average rent, Manchester leaves £2,488/month vs London's £1,971/month.
Is Manchester cheaper than London for doctors? ▾
Yes — significantly. Manchester's average 1-bed rent is £1,050/month vs London's £2,050/month. Manchester's overall cost-of-living index is 72 vs London's 100. A doctor's Manchester salary delivers 28% more purchasing power than the equivalent London salary.
Is the tax rate different in Scotland for doctors? ▾
Yes. Scotland has its own income tax bands. At foundation doctor salary levels (£55,000), 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 Manchester's lower housing costs.
What salary in Manchester matches a London doctor lifestyle? ▾
Because Manchester's cost of living is 28% lower than London, a doctor earning £55,000 in Manchester maintains a significantly better lifestyle than the equivalent London salary of £65,000. No adjustment is needed — Manchester's lower salary delivers more disposable income.
Open roles matching this comparison