How much does it cost to live in Cardiff?

Typical monthly costs in Cardiff are approximately £950 in rent and £1,000 in other expenses, totalling around £1,950/month.

How much should I save in Cardiff?

Based on ONS Living Costs & Food Survey FYE2024, people at mid-range incomes in United Kingdom typically save 12–20% of gross income. In a moderate cost city like Cardiff, housing costs can reduce this, particularly for renters.

Cardiff · GBP · moderate cost city

Cost of living in Cardiff — is your salary enough?

Cardiff rents average £950/month — the Welsh capital is significantly cheaper than comparable English cities. Cardiff professionals face a favourable income-to-cost ratio, supporting savings rates above the UK mid-income benchmark.

Rent in Cardiff

Budget£700 – £850/mo

Typical£950 – £1,100/mo

Premium£1,200+/mo

Other monthly costs

Food, transport, bills, going out~£1,000/mo

Total typical monthly spend~£1,950/mo

How different incomes stack up

At typical Cardiff costs (£950 rent)

£25,000 – £35,000→ saving 0%

Under-Saving

£35,000 – £50,000→ saving 29.4%

Ahead

£50,000 – £70,000→ saving 43.5%

Ahead

See your personal verdict for Cardiff

Country

Annual income (gross)£42,500

£10,000£155,000£300,000+

Monthly rent or mortgage£950/mo

£0£4,000£8,000+

Other monthly expenses

Food, transport, subscriptions, going out — everything except rent

£1,400/mo

£0£3,000£6,000+

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Cost figures are estimates based on reported median rents and typical spending patterns. Savings benchmarks from ONS Living Costs & Food Survey FYE2024. Figures in GBP.

Check your savings rate in Cardiff →

Compare nearby cities

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Also in the Verdict suite

SalaryVerdict — Is your Cardiff salary competitive?SpendVerdict — Is your Cardiff rent too high?