Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, blending traditional culture with modern urbanity. Cardiff has been recognised as the best and friendliest city in the UK in 2023, and in addition to its friendliness, the cost of living in Cardiff is lower than in other well-known cities in the UK. According to NUMBEO, Cardiff is, on average, 10% lower than the cost of living in Manchester. For upcoming international students, knowing the cost of living in Cardiff in advance will help them to manage their money.
Cost of Living in Cardiff: Daily Life
Food
In Cardiff, well-known British supermarket chains are the most common choice for replenishing daily necessities. For those who are used to cooking for themselves, groceries can cost around ￡200 per month. Cardiff has a wide range of restaurants for those who prefer to eat out to suit all tastes. Prices vary, and a meal can cost between￡7 and ￡40. Going to the pub is also one of the UK’s most popular activities, with beers and cocktails available between ￡4 and ￡14.
Entertainment
Cardiff, as an international city, is filled with various entertainment options. For football fans, Cardiff City FC‘s home stadium is located on the west side of the city. As a well-known team within the city, tickets cost between ￡16 and ￡30 per game. In addition to this, going to the cinema is also a popular activity for students, with tickets costing around ￡6 to ￡11 per film. The city centre is also home to many performances, from ￡17 Live House to ￡150 concerts. St David’s Dewi Sant is the most famous shopping centre in the area, offering a wide range of branded goods and clothing. Shopping expenses vary from person to person and can cost between ￡40 and ￡300 per visit.
Mobile Network
Mobile phone networks are priced consistently across UK cities. Most students can meet their basic needs by purchasing a SIM card for £10 per month. ‘Pay-as-you-go‘ SIM cards are the most popular as they can be cancelled anytime. However, it should be noted that most operators require students to provide a UK bank card when purchasing a SIM card.
Transport
Cardiff has a well-developed bus system that covers all areas of the city. Prices are also only around ￡1.50. Those who need to travel frequently can save money by purchasing various Tickets.
Trains are one of the most common modes of transport in the UK and a popular choice for students. The price of travelling to London from here is around ￡26 to ￡60. But students can buy Railcard, which will help them save a lot of money on train fare.
Cost of Living in Cardiff: Education
As an international student, the most considerable expense in Cardiff is tuition fees. This is because tuition fees are higher for international students than for local students.
- Cardiff University is over ￡20,000 per year for undergraduates, ￡25,000 for postgraduates and ￡43,000 for postgraduates.
- Undergraduate tuition fees at Cardiff Metropolitan University are around ￡15,000 per annum, and postgraduate fees are ￡16,000+.
- Undergraduate tuition fees at the University of South Wales are around ￡15,000 for undergraduates and ￡17,000 for postgraduates.
Cost of Living in Cardiff: Accommodation
In Cardiff, students have a wealth of housing options. Most will choose university residence halls, off-campus student accommodation and social properties. Each option has different advantages and disadvantages, and as a result, the costs vary greatly.
On campus student halls
Cardiff University offers 18 halls of residence blocks for all students at prices ranging from ￡440 to ￡640 per month. A wide range of room types and communal services are provided to choose from. Cardiff Metropolitan University halls of residence also cover both campuses and are priced from ￡640 to ￡960 per month. The University of South Wales also offers accommodation options from ￡150 to ￡180.
Off campus student accommodation
Off-campus student accommodation in Cardiff is also a popular option. Although more expensive, students can choose the type of room and location, and many flats offer additional community facilities and services. Typically, monthly rents for this type of student accommodation range between £600 and £1,000.
Off campus student accommodation
Many students with high accommodation requirements or who like to experience the local culture choose social properties. There is a broader choice and a more comprehensive range of room types. Prices range from £580 to £3,000 per month, depending on personal preference. However, students can reduce the average cost by sharing with others.
Gas and Utility
Students living in student halls of residence and flats do not have to worry about bills. However, if students live in social flats, they need to be aware of the utility costs. Most social properties require residents to pay their own bills. Figures show that utility bills (gas, electricity, water, internet, etc.) range between £120 and £220 per month per house in Cardiff.
Council Tax
Council Tax is a tax determined by the property’s value. It is an automatic tax exemption if the student lives in a student’s house or flat. However, students residing on social property must claim the tax exemption themselves. They must pay between £93 and £400 per month if they do not claim.
Conclusion
All in all, university fees are the main expense of living in Cardiff. Tuition fees range from £15,000 to £40,000 per year. This is followed by flat rent, around £600 or more per month. On the other hand, monthly living and entertainment costs range from £150 to £2,000, but students can save money through various offers or websites.
| The Cost of Living in Cardiff 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Cost | Price/annual |
| Education | ￡15000~￡43000 |
| Accommodation | ￡5280~￡36000 |
| Food | ￡2200~￡5500 |
| Entertainment | ￡1300~￡10000 |
| Transport | ￡380~￡1500 |
| Network | ￡150~￡600 |
Cost of Living in Glasgow: FAQ
While the cost of living can vary greatly depending on lifestyle choices and personal circumstances, the cost of living in Cardiff, Wales, is generally considered moderate. Housing in Cardiff is more affordable than in other major UK cities such as London and Manchester. The cost of groceries, utilities and transport is comparable to the national average.
Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, really is a great place to live. It is rich in history, culture and community, providing a high quality of life for its residents. The city offers the perfect blend of cosmopolitan living and natural beauty. From lush, sprawling parks to modern architecture, there is something for everyone to enjoy here. Cardiff is also known for its excellent education system, diverse employment opportunities and relatively low cost of living compared to other major UK cities.
Overall, the cost of living in Cardiff is somewhat lower. Housing prices are generally lower in Cardiff compared to Bristol. Grocery prices tend to be fairly similar between the two cities, but eating out and spending on entertainment seem to be cheaper in Cardiff.
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