Cardiff Calculators
Popular calculators tailored for residents of Cardiff. These tools use UK-specific tax bands, housing market data, and living cost assumptions relevant to the region.
Financial Planning in Cardiff 2025/26
Cardiff is the capital of Wales and a growing economic centre, with an average salary of approximately £30,500. Welsh residents pay the same income tax rates as England, but Wales has its own Land Transaction Tax (LTT) instead of Stamp Duty. Cardiff offers affordable city living with excellent transport connections to Bristol and London via the South Wales mainline.
Cardiff Property Market
Average house prices in Cardiff are around £260,000, offering significantly better value than South East England. Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT) with different thresholds to English Stamp Duty. The nil-rate band in Wales is £225,000, and first-time buyers have no additional relief beyond this. Use our Mortgage Calculator to calculate your repayments on a Cardiff property.
Cardiff Tax & Employment
Major employers in Cardiff include the Welsh Government, Admiral Insurance, BBC Wales, Cardiff University, and the NHS Wales. Although Wales has devolved powers, income tax rates remain the same as England for 2025/26. Use our Salary Calculator to see your take-home pay. Cardiff's growing tech scene and professional services sector offer competitive salaries with lower living costs than English equivalents.
Cost of Living in Cardiff
Monthly rent in Cardiff averages £700-950 for a one-bedroom flat in the city centre. Cardiff Bus and train services cost around £60-75 per month. Council tax for Band D in Cardiff is approximately £1,590. Cardiff residents benefit from free NHS prescriptions in Wales (unlike England's £9.90 per item), potentially saving hundreds of pounds per year for those on regular medication.
Cardiff Financial Tips
- Welsh LTT — Different from English Stamp Duty — check rates before buying property in Wales
- Free prescriptions — Wales provides free NHS prescriptions, saving £100+ annually
- Council tax reduction — Wales has its own council tax reduction scheme for lower earners
- Welsh Government grants — Check for business and housing grants available in Wales
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Living and Working in Cardiff: A Financial Overview
Cardiff is one of the UK's major cities and a fantastic place to live, work, and build a career. Whether you are considering a move to Cardiff, planning your finances as a current resident, or simply comparing UK cities, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about salaries, property prices, cost of living, and financial planning in Cardiff. Our free online calculators can help you make informed decisions about your money, from calculating your take-home pay to estimating mortgage repayments and stamp duty costs.
Average Salary in Cardiff
The average salary in Cardiff is approximately £29,000 per year, compared to the UK national average of around £34,000. While this is below the national average, the lower cost of living in Cardiff means that residents often enjoy strong purchasing power. Salaries vary significantly by sector and experience level, with financial services, technology, and professional services typically offering above-average compensation packages including bonuses, pension contributions, and other benefits.
Many workers in Cardiff find that their salary goes further than equivalent earnings in London or the South East. For example, a salary of £29,000 in Cardiff, combined with the city's lower housing and transport costs, can provide a comparable standard of living to significantly higher earnings in more expensive areas. To see exactly how your salary translates into take-home pay after tax, National Insurance, student loan repayments, and pension contributions, try our salary calculator. It provides a detailed breakdown of all deductions for the current tax year.
Property Market in Cardiff
The average house price in Cardiff is approximately £210,000, which represents solid value compared to London's average of £525,000. The salary-to-house-price ratio in Cardiff is approximately 7.2:1, which is significantly more affordable than London's 12.5:1. Average monthly rents for a one-bedroom flat in Cardiff are around £750, providing a range of options for both renters and buyers at different budget levels.
Whether you are considering buying your first home, moving up the property ladder, or remortgaging an existing property, our mortgage calculator can help you estimate monthly repayments at current interest rates, while the stamp duty calculator shows the tax payable on your purchase (note: Wales uses Land Transaction Tax instead of stamp duty, with different rates and thresholds). Understanding these upfront costs is essential for budgeting your property purchase effectively.
Cost of Living in Cardiff
The overall cost of living in Cardiff is approximately 15–20% below London. This makes Cardiff an attractive option for those seeking a lower cost of living without sacrificing career opportunities, cultural amenities, or quality of life. Many people who relocate from London to Cardiff report significant improvements in their work-life balance and financial wellbeing. Key monthly expenses to budget for include rent or mortgage payments (£750 for a one-bedroom flat), transport (approximately £65 for a monthly pass), council tax (Band D averaging £1,480 per year), utilities, food, and insurance.
Understanding the full picture of your living costs is essential for effective financial planning. Use our income tax calculator to see how much of your salary you will actually take home after all deductions, and our salary calculator to model different salary scenarios and understand how pay rises, bonuses, or job changes would affect your net income.
Transport and Getting Around Cardiff
Cardiff's public transport is centred on Cardiff Bus and the South Wales Metro, a transformative rail project that is upgrading the Valleys Lines with new trains and more frequent services. Monthly bus passes cost around £55–£65, while the South Wales Metro will provide improved connections to the wider region. Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street stations offer direct services to London (2 hours), Bristol (50 minutes), and Swansea (1 hour). The city is compact and increasingly cycle-friendly, with the Nextbike scheme providing affordable cycle hire. Cardiff Bay is connected to the city centre by both bus and a dedicated cycle path along the Taff Trail.
Neighbourhoods and Areas in Cardiff
Cardiff's property market offers excellent value for a capital city. Pontcanna and Canton are popular with young professionals and families, offering Victorian and Edwardian terraces from £250,000–£350,000. Cardiff Bay provides modern waterfront apartments from £150,000–£220,000. Cathedral Road is one of the city's most prestigious addresses. For first-time buyers, Grangetown, Splott (increasingly rebranded as 'the Splott'), and Adamsdown offer affordable terraced houses from £150,000–£200,000 with easy access to the city centre. Roath, with its parks, independent shops, and diverse restaurants, offers a vibrant community feel at moderate prices.
Local Economy and Employment Opportunities
Cardiff is the capital of Wales and its primary economic engine, accounting for around 20% of the Welsh GDP. The city has a growing financial and professional services sector, with major employers including Admiral Group (one of the UK's largest car insurers, headquartered in Cardiff), Deloitte, and Legal & General. Cardiff's creative industries are thriving, anchored by BBC Wales and the expanding Cardiff Bay media hub where Doctor Who, Sherlock, and other major productions have been filmed. The city also benefits from a strong public sector, two excellent universities (Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University), and a vibrant start-up scene. The £500 million Central Square development has transformed the city centre into a modern business district.
Money-Saving Tips for Cardiff Residents
Cardiff is one of the most affordable UK capital cities, and there are numerous ways to enjoy it on a budget. The National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans National Museum of History are completely free and world-class. Cardiff Castle offers free entry to its grounds, and Bute Park provides 130 acres of green space in the heart of the city. The Taff Trail cycle and walking path runs from Cardiff Bay to Brecon, offering free outdoor recreation. Shopping at Cardiff Market (a Victorian indoor market) and the many independent shops along City Road provides great value. The city's compact size means many residents walk or cycle rather than relying on paid transport.
Key Financial Metrics for Cardiff
| Financial Metric | Cardiff | UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary | £29,000 | £34,000 |
| Average House Price | £210,000 | £285,000 |
| Average Monthly Rent (1-bed) | £750 | £900 |
| Council Tax (Band D) | £1,480 | £1,670 |
| Monthly Transport Pass | £65 | £80 |
| Salary-to-House-Price Ratio | 7.2:1 | 8.4:1 |
| Cost of Living vs London | 15–20% below London | — |
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiff Finances
How does Welsh income tax work?
Wales has limited income tax-varying powers through the Welsh Rate of Income Tax (WRIT). Currently, the Welsh rates mirror those in England and Northern Ireland, but the Welsh Parliament (Senedd) has the power to vary the basic, higher, and additional rates by up to 10p in the pound. This means Cardiff residents currently pay the same income tax rates as those in England. Our salary calculator accounts for Welsh tax rates to give you an accurate take-home pay figure.
Is Cardiff a good city for graduates?
Cardiff is increasingly popular with graduates thanks to its relatively low living costs, growing job market, and vibrant social scene. Graduate starting salaries typically range from £22,000 to £28,000, and the city's affordable housing (averaging £210,000) means young professionals can get on the property ladder sooner than in many English cities. Cardiff was ranked as one of the top UK cities for graduate quality of life, and the city's two universities provide strong career networks and alumni communities.
What is the Land Transaction Tax in Wales?
Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT) instead of stamp duty, with different rates and thresholds. As of 2024, residential properties under £225,000 pay no LTT, making it more generous for first-time buyers and lower-priced properties than the English stamp duty system. Our stamp duty calculator includes a Welsh LTT option to show you the exact amount payable on your Cardiff property purchase, and allows you to compare with what you would pay in England.
How does Cardiff compare to Bristol?
Cardiff and Bristol are just 50 minutes apart by train, and many people compare the two cities. Cardiff offers significantly lower living costs: house prices average £210,000 vs Bristol's £330,000 (a saving of 36%), and rents are around 30% cheaper. While Bristol has higher average salaries (£33,000 vs £29,000), Cardiff's affordability means more disposable income for many residents. Both cities offer excellent quality of life, cultural scenes, and proximity to the Welsh and English countryside.
Popular Calculators for Cardiff Residents
Our free online calculators can help you make informed financial decisions about life in Cardiff. Whether you are calculating your take-home pay, planning a property purchase, working out your tax obligations, or simply checking a VAT amount, these tools provide instant and accurate results tailored to the current tax year and your personal circumstances.
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