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Cardiff is a popular and affordable city in Europe, especially among students who come to study at top universities like Cardiff University. According to the reports published by the UK Parliament Common Library, Cardiff has one of the highest numbers of international students in the UK. The average cost of living in Cardiff for a single person is around GBP 806, while rent is around GBP 1,000 per month. Living expenses in Cardiff can vary according to a person’s standards and preferences.
The cost of living in Cardiff depends on various factors such as the prices of houses or house rent, daily food and utility expenses, healthcare and medical expenses, clothing, etc. In general, the cost of living in Cardiff is quite low when compared to other cities in the UK, but in comparison to any Asian city, the expenses there are higher. Let’s check the costs of living in Cardiff in detail.
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Cost of Living in Cardiff
Including rent, the cost of living in Cardiff is around GBP 1950 for one person and it varies for reasons like the location in which you are living which affects your house rent or property price, prices of essential items such as food, clothes and medicine, and miscellaneous. Take a look at the table below which highlights the division of the cost of living in Cardiff with their prices.
| Particulars Catagory | Approx Monthly Cost |
| House Rent | GBP 900 to 2000 |
| Food Expenses | GBP 200 to 260 |
| Medine and Health Care | GBP 150 to 230 |
| Utilities | GBP 250 to 300 |
| Transport (Monthly Pass ) | GBP 55 |
| Miscellaneous | GBP 200 to 300 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide on Helsinki’s Expense
Cost of Housing Rent in Cardiff
Cardiff has many private and public housing facilities for students, job seekers, and other individuals. The average cost of housing rent in Cardiff can range from GBP 900 to GBP 1100. One of the significant expenses in the cost of living in Cardiff is the monthly housing rent. Moreover, it depends on factors such as location, size, facilities offered, etc. The table below shows details about the rent of houses in Cardiff.
| Categories | Approx Monthly Cost |
| 1 bedroom apartment | GBP 900 to GBP 1100 |
| 3 bedroom apartment | GBP 1300 to GBP 1800 |
Cost of Grocery in Cardiff
The cost of food items and groceries in Cardiff is reasonable, where your weekly cost can vary between GBP 80 to GBP 120. However, if you plan to dine at a restaurant, that can cost you more than it would cost for groceries and depends on the place where you want to eat. As a daily expense, Food Items and grocery costs can impact your cost of living in Cardiff. Check the table for more details.
| Categories | Approx Cost |
| Groceries | GBP 70 to GBP 290 |
| Dairy Products | GBP 100 to GBP 140 |
| Meal at a Restaurant | GBP 20 to GBP 35 |
Cost of Transportation in Cardiff
On average, public transport costs around GBP 55 per month, and the good thing is that it comes under the overall cost of living in Cardiff. The mode of transportation in Cardiff is trains, boat, buses, and cabs. Here, we have given various modes of transportation with their fare costs:
| Transportation | Approx Cost |
| Monthly Pass for Regular fair | GBP 55 |
| One-way Ticket in Local Transport | GBP 2.20 |
| axi 1km (Normal Tariff) | GBP 1.18 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | GBP 1.54 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Cuba: A Comprehensive Guide on Cuba’s Expense
Cost of Utilities in Cardiff
The monthly cost of a utility in Cardiff for an 85m2 apartment can cost you around GBP 271. The utility expenses include the costs of cooking gas, electricity and water bills, management of heating and cooling appliances, garbage cleaning service, etc. Check the table for more details.
| Type of utility | Approx Cost |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | GBP 271.9 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | GBP 11.11 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | GBP 29.44 |
Cost of Medical and Healthcare in Cardiff
The government of the UK has a publicly funded healthcare system where free or low-cost medical services are offered to everyone. However, you need to pay for medicines prescribed by your physician, and the cost can vary depending on your diagnosis. On average, the cost of medical and healthcare in Cardiff for a single person is around GBP 150 to GBP 230. Check the table for more details.
| Categories | Monthly Cost |
| Dental Checkup | GBP 50 to GBP 75 |
| Medicines | GBP 35 to GBP 60 |
| Other Health Services | GBP 50 to GBP 80 |
Cost of Clothes in Cardiff
The average day temperature in Cardiff is 15 degrees Celsius, which is quite low when compared to tropical countries. You need to buy clothes that suit the weather there, which can cost you somewhere around GBP 60 to GBP 110, depending on what type of clothes you buy and from where.
| Clothes | Approx Cost |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | GBP 67.50 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | GBP 37.14 |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | GBP 58.12 |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | GBP 67.86 |
Average Tuition Fees in Cardiff
Along with the average cost of living in Cardiff, the essential thing for you is the average tuition fees at its Universities. The average tuition fee in Cardiff for students is around GBP 18,500 per year, and it can range from GBP 16,400 to GBP 32,100.
Reason to Live in Cardiff
Along with affordable cost of living in Cardiff, there are several reasons why you should live in Cardiff, why this city attracts students and other international job seekers to migrate there. Cardiff is home to a number of natural gardens, modern architectural buildings and tourist attractions, because of which it has become a cultural hotspot. Some of the popular reasons to live in Cardiff are listed below.
- This city has a rich historical and diverse background and modern architecture, making it a city where innovation meets tradition.
- Cardiff is home to several universities and institutions, attracting students from all across the globe and offering job opportunities for residents.
- This city has numerous public parks such as the Cardiff Bay Bridge, Roath Park, Bute Park, etc. where outdoor activities can be enjoyed.
- The Principality Stadium located in the heart of the city hosts several sporting events annually
- The fast and secure transport facilities give an additional reason to live in this city
- Moreover, Cardiff offers a high-quality life with a balance of urban amenities and natural beauty
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FAQs
Ans. The average cost of living in Cardiff for a single person is around GBP 806, while rent is around GBP 1,000 per month. The living expenses can vary according to the living standard and location you choose.
A. When compared with other cities in the UK, Cardiff is affordable whether you are single or a family. The average monthly cost of living in Cardiff for a person can range from GBP 1700 to GBP 2300.
Ans: A one-bedroom apartment in Cardiff’s city centre costs around GBP 1000, while a similar apartment outside the city centre is about 20% cheaper. The housing rent is a major part of the cost of living in Cardiff.
This was all about the Cost of Living in Cardiff, UK. If you have further queries or need assistance with your study abroad journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts at Leverage Edu. We are here to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.
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