Cost of Living in Swansea
Wales
City
Population: 246,000
Average House Price
£195.7k
-33% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£35,453
-9% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£876/mo
-27% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£1,885Band D / yr
Energy£140/ mo
Water£34.00/ mo
Broadband£38.00/ mo
Bus Pass£67.63/ mo
House Prices in Swansea
+1.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£195,650
Detached£313,950
Semi-detached£186,550
Terraced£145,600
Flat / Apartment£113,750
House prices in Swansea have increased by +1.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Swansea
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£35,453
Mean£39,744
Median hourly rate£16.90/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£24,096
Upper quartile (75th)£46,752
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-9.2%
£3,586 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Swansea
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Swansea each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £876 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £157 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £140 |
| Utilities | Water | £34.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £38.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £175 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £246 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £142 |
| Estimated Total | £1,808 |
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 Swansea
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£67.63
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.34
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£175
Compare Swansea with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Swansea stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Swansea
- What is the average house price in Swansea?
- The average house price in Swansea is £195,650, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £313,950, while flats and apartments average £113,750. Prices have risen by +1.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Swansea?
- The median annual salary in Swansea is £35,453, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £3,586 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £24,096 (lower quartile) to £46,752 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Swansea?
- Average monthly rent in Swansea is £876 per month. Rents have increased by +5.8% over the past year.
- Is Swansea an affordable place to live?
- Swansea is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 30% of the median monthly income. This is close to, but within, the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £876, while the median annual salary is £35,453 (approximately £2,954 per month before tax).
- How does Swansea compare to London?
- The average house price in Swansea is £195,650, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Swansea costs around 36% of London prices, making it £355,350 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £876 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Swansea?
- House prices in Swansea are currently rising, with a +1.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £195,650 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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