Cost of Living in Cardiff
Wales
City
Population: 369,000
Average House Price
£232.2k
-20% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£38,038
-3% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£867/mo
-28% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,025Band D / yr
Energy£145/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£35.00/ mo
Bus Pass£65.62/ mo
House Prices in Cardiff
+3.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£232,200
Detached£372,600
Semi-detached£221,400
Terraced£172,800
Flat / Apartment£135,000
House prices in Cardiff have increased by +3.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Cardiff
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£38,038
Mean£42,642
Median hourly rate£18.13/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£25,853
Upper quartile (75th)£50,161
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-2.6%
£1,001 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Cardiff
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Cardiff each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £867 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £169 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £145 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £35.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £170 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £244 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £138 |
| Estimated Total | £1,802 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Cardiff
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£65.62
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.30
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£170
Compare Cardiff with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Cardiff stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Cardiff
- What is the average house price in Cardiff?
- The average house price in Cardiff is £232,200, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £372,600, while flats and apartments average £135,000. Prices have risen by +3.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Cardiff?
- The median annual salary in Cardiff is £38,038, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £1,001 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £25,853 (lower quartile) to £50,161 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Cardiff?
- Average monthly rent in Cardiff is £867 per month. Rents have increased by +4.8% over the past year.
- Is Cardiff an affordable place to live?
- Cardiff is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 27% of the median monthly income. This is close to, but within, the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £867, while the median annual salary is £38,038 (approximately £3,170 per month before tax).
- How does Cardiff compare to London?
- The average house price in Cardiff is £232,200, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Cardiff costs around 42% of London prices, making it £318,800 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £867 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Cardiff?
- House prices in Cardiff are currently rising, with a +3.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £232,200 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
Nearby Locations
Explore the cost of living in other nearby areas.