Salary guide · GB

Doctor salary in London: can you afford rent?

A Doctor in London typically earns £50,000£140,000/year, with a median around £85,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is £2,300/month.

Affordability verdict

Manageable

At a typical Doctor salary of £85,000/year, spending on median London rent (£2,300/mo) would take up 32% of gross income. That's above the 30% guideline but not uncommon — a manageable situation.

Doctor salary range in London

£50,000

Entry level

lower quartile

£85,000

Typical

median estimate

£140,000

Experienced

upper quartile

Medical doctors diagnose and treat patients, working in hospitals, clinics, and private practice. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for London.

How much rent can a Doctor afford?

25% of income (comfortable)£1,771/mo
30% of income (standard)£2,125/mo
35% of income (stretch)£2,479/mo
Median London rent£2,300/mo

Rent landscape in London

£1,600

Budget

cheapest 10%

£2,300

Median

most common

£3,800

Premium

top 10%

1-bedroom equivalent. ONS Private Rental Market Survey 2024/25 (IPHRP: London rents +8.9% YoY Dec 2024) · 2024–2025

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Doctor earn in London?

A Doctor in London typically earns between £50,000 and £140,000/year, with a median around £85,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.

Can a Doctor afford to live in London?

At a typical Doctor salary of £85,000/year, median London rent (£2,300/month) takes up 32% of gross income — above the 30% guideline but not unusual in this market. Budget options in London start around £1,600/month.

How much rent can a Doctor afford in London?

On a median Doctor salary of £85,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is £2,125/month. Compared to London's median rent of £2,300/month, this means some budget trade-offs will be necessary — look at areas below the city median.

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