What is the average monthly cost of living in Cardiff?
Anchored to a £35k salary, essential monthly costs in Cardiff run about £1,880 — split across rent (£950), bills (£380), food (£265) and transport (£70).
Cost of living in Cardiff
Cardiff works for the typical earner on £35k, but the budget runs closer to the edge than most people expect. The breakdown below is anchored to £35k — the local median full-time wage — so the outcome (stable: £513 disposable per month) reflects what most people in Cardiff actually experience.
Take-home on £35k
£2,393
per month
Essentials cost
£1,880
per month
Disposable left
£513
Reality Score 67/100
Reality verdictStable
£35k balances the books in Cardiff — bills are manageable, but big-ticket goals will need planning.
Based on current UK tax rules and city cost benchmarks. Updated regularly.
What life in Cardiff actually costs
Pontcanna and Cathays sit at the top of the range; Splott, Roath and Grangetown are well-priced and close to the centre.
A balanced affordability profile — slightly cheaper than English cities of comparable size. On a £35k salary, take-home is about £2,393 per month, with essentials of around £1,880. That leaves £513 for savings, debt, and discretionary spending. Want a deeper look? See Cardiff on £35k or Bristol vs Cardiff.
Run your own numbers for Cardiff
Plug in your salary and lifestyle to see what's actually left each month.
Monthly cost breakdown for Cardiff
Based on a single renter earning £35k.
- Rent / housing
- £950
- Bills (utilities, council tax, internet)
- £380
- Food & groceries
- £265
- Transport
- £70
- Lifestyle & misc
- £215
- Total essentials
- £1,880
67/ 100
Stable
Reality Score weighs take-home pay against essentials and any savings commitment to gauge how sustainable the setup is.
What this means
Stable. Your essentials are covered, with some room left over — though savings progress may be slow.
What this actually means
- You're broadly in balance for Cardiff. The next move is intent: define what you want this surplus to do — invest, save, or spend.
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Take-home / mo
£2,393
Total costs / mo
£1,880
Disposable / mo
£513
Reality Score for this scenario: 67/100 — Stable
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Frequently asked questions
How much rent should I budget for Cardiff?
For a single renter in Cardiff, expect rent of around £950 per month based on current city averages. Inner-city zones run higher; commuter areas can be 20–30% cheaper.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Cardiff?
On the modelled defaults, a take-home of about £2,393/month leaves £513 disposable in Cardiff — a Reality Score of 67/100 (stable). To run your own numbers, estimate your monthly affordability for any UK city. For a deeper look, see Cardiff on £35k.
How does Cardiff compare to other UK cities?
Rent is the largest single variable. Compare Bristol vs Cardiff side-by-side, or browse all UK cost-of-living guides to see where your salary stretches furthest.
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Last updated: April 2026See how we calculate this
These figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.
- Based on UK cost benchmarks
- Updated regularly
- Indicative estimates, not financial advice