affordwhere

What does your salary buy in Cardiff?

Enter your gross monthly salary to see your take-home pay, affordable neighborhoods, and savings potential

GBP/month

Free calculator with 2026 tax rates. No data stored.

or browse city data below

Cost of Living in Cardiff, U.K.

Welsh capital with a growing tech and media scene. Compact, affordable, bay area regeneration.

Currency
GBP (£)
English Level
Excellent
Healthcare
NHS (Public)

Rental Prices in Cardiff

1-Bedroom Apartment
£810 - £1,300
per month
2-Bedroom Apartment
£1,100 - £1,750
per month

* Prices shown are second-hand rental market rates, typical for expats.5 neighborhoods tracked. Source: Official government housing statistics.

Monthly Living Costs

Groceries
£230
Transport
£65
Utilities
£244
Dining Out
£165

Utility costs based on Eurostat Energy Statistics.

Popular Neighborhoods

City Centre
Cardiff Castle, shopping arcades, Millennium Stadium. Compact and walkable city core.
0 min walk•£1,000+/mo
Pontcanna
Upscale leafy area near Bute Park. Independent cafes, delis, popular with young professionals.
10 min walk•£1,120+/mo
Canton
Trendy area with Chapter Arts Centre. Independent shops, diverse food scene, creative crowd.
10 min bus•£940+/mo
Cathays
Student district near Cardiff University. Affordable terraced houses, takeaways, lively nightlife.
10 min walk•£810+/mo
Roath
Residential area with Roath Park lake. Victorian houses, diverse community, good local shops.
12 min bus•£900+/mo

Work Visa

Skilled Worker visa requires employer sponsorship. Points-based system.

Processing: 3-8 weeks

Relocation Costs

Deposit capped at 5 weeks rent. No agent fees for tenants. First month rent due upfront.

Typical deposit: 1.25 months rent

Enter your salary above to see a personalized breakdown of your finances in Cardiff

Our calculator shows net income after taxes, affordable neighborhoods, and savings potential

Data last updated: January 2026•View methodology

Compare Cities

This city
Cardiff
Add city

Add another city to compare costs

Guides for Cardiff

  • UK vs Germany for Expats 2026: Salary, Tax & Cost of LivingUK gross salaries are 20% higher but German net pay is often better after tax. Full comparison of take-home pay, rent, healthcare, and monthly costs for expats.
    Comparison12 min read
  • Moving Abroad Checklist: Everything You Need to DoThe complete checklist for relocating internationally - from 6 months before to your first week abroad. Documents, finances, housing, and more.
    Planning14 min read
View all guides →

Explore similar cities

More in U.K.

LondonGlobal financial and tech hub
Avg. 1BR: £2,111/mo
ManchesterNorthern powerhouse
Avg. 1BR: £1,045/mo
EdinburghScotland's capital
Avg. 1BR: £1,187/mo

Nearby alternatives

DublinTech hub of Europe
Avg. 1BR: €2,073/mo
CorkIreland's second city
Avg. 1BR: €1,521/mo
GalwayWest coast university town
Avg. 1BR: €1,508/mo

Similar cost of living

BerlinGermany's capital
Avg. 1BR: €1,261/mo
LeipzigEast Germany's revival city
Avg. 1BR: €822/mo

Frequently Asked Questions about Cardiff

Read More About Cardiff

Cardiff Bay waterfront with modern architecture
Expat Guide12 min read

UK's Most Affordable Cities for Expats: Sheffield, Cardiff & Nottingham

affordwhere

Know what your salary buys before you move. Take-home pay, neighborhoods, and savings across 175+ cities in 33 countries.

Updated Mar 2026

Explore

  • Calculator
  • Blog
  • Data sources
  • Benchmarks

Countries

AustraliaAustriaBelgiumCanadaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHong KongIndiaIndonesiaIrelandItalyJapanMalaysiaMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPolandPortugalSingaporeSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanThailandUAEU.K.U.S.A.Vietnam

Company

  • About
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 AffordWhere. Estimates only, not financial advice.

2026 tax rules • Mar 2026 rent data