Living in Cardiff: Salary, Housing & Cost of Living (2026)

Updated June 2026 · ONS data · HMRC 2026/27 rates

£1,000 avg rent/month ONS, April 2026
£215,000 avg house price ONS, March 2026
£38,200 local salary median ONS ASHE 2025 est.
£70/mo avg transport cost monthly estimate

Is My Salary Enough in Cardiff?

See how far different salaries go in Cardiff after tax and living costs.

Is £25,000 enough in Cardiff? → Is £30,000 enough in Cardiff? → Is £35,000 enough in Cardiff? → Is £40,000 enough in Cardiff? → Is £45,000 enough in Cardiff? → Is £50,000 enough in Cardiff? → Is £60,000 enough in Cardiff? → Is £75,000 enough in Cardiff? →

Can I Afford a House in Cardiff?

See whether different salaries can cover the average Cardiff house price of £215,000.

£25,000 salary in Cardiff ✗ Out of reach → £30,000 salary in Cardiff ✗ Out of reach → £35,000 salary in Cardiff ✗ Out of reach → £40,000 salary in Cardiff ✗ Out of reach → £45,000 salary in Cardiff ✓ Affordable → £50,000 salary in Cardiff ✓ Affordable → £60,000 salary in Cardiff ✓ Affordable → £75,000 salary in Cardiff ✓ Affordable →

Cardiff vs Other Cities

See how Cardiff compares to other UK cities for cost of living and salary.

Cardiff vs London Rent £1,100 /mo cheaper in Cardiff
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Cardiff vs Manchester Rent £349 /mo cheaper in Cardiff
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Cardiff vs Birmingham Rent £50 /mo cheaper in Birmingham
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Cardiff vs Bristol Rent £200 /mo cheaper in Cardiff
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Calculate Your Personal Numbers for Cardiff

The figures above are based on average costs. Use our tools to enter your exact situation and get personalised results.

Salary Reality Checker See your take-home pay and disposable income in Cardiff → Housing Affordability Tool See when you can afford to buy in Cardiff → Should I Move Simulator Compare Cardiff with other UK cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average rent in Cardiff?

The average rent for a one-bedroom property in Cardiff is £1,000 /month, based on ONS Private Rental Market Survey data for April 2026.

What is the average house price in Cardiff?

The average house price in Cardiff is £215,000, based on ONS UK House Price Index data for March 2026. The average flat price is £172,000.

What is the average salary in Cardiff?

The estimated local median salary in Cardiff is £38,200, derived from ONS regional pay data (ASHE 2025). This is £770 above the UK full-time median of £37,430.

What salary do I need to live comfortably in Cardiff?

Based on average costs in Cardiff, a single person would need around £3,000 gross per year for rent to stay within 33% of take-home pay — a commonly used affordability guideline. Individual circumstances vary significantly.

Rent from ONS Private Rental Market Survey, April 2026. House prices from ONS UK House Price Index, March 2026. Local salary median derived from ONS regional pay data (ASHE 2025) — approximation only. All figures are estimates. Last updated: June 2026.