Wales
Average rent in Cardiff (2026)
The average 1-bed rent in Cardiff is £900 a month, and a 2-bed is £1,150.
That is 19% below the UK average 1-bed rent of £1,115 and makes Cardiff the 35th most expensive of the 109 cities and towns we track.
- 1-bed average
- £900
- Per week
- £208
- UK rank
- 35th of 109
- Take-home needed (30%)
- £3,000
Rent in Cardiff by bedrooms
| Property | Per month | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £900 | £208 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,150 | £265 |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,315 | £303 |
Indicative 2026/27 averages. Rents vary by neighbourhood, property condition and EPC rating. Use the rental value calculator to estimate a specific property.
What salary do you need to rent in Cardiff?
Monthly take-home pay you need so that the average rent stays within each share of your income. The usual guideline is no more than 30%.
| Property | Comfortable (28%) | Guideline (30%) | Stretch (35%) | Minimum (40%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed (£900) | £3,215 | £3,000 | £2,572 | £2,250 |
| 2-bed (£1,150) | £4,108 | £3,834 | £3,286 | £2,875 |
Many letting agents also ask for a gross annual income of around 30 times the monthly rent, which for a 1-bed here is about £27,000 a year. This is an agent referencing rule, separate from your own budget. Not sure what your take-home is? Work it out here.
Cardiff compared with the rest of Wales
Across the 6 places we track in Wales, 1-bed rents run from £585 in Llanelli to £900 in Cardiff. The middle value is £698, and Cardiff is 1st most expensive in the region.
| Place | 1-bed | 2-bed |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff (this page) | £900 | £1,150 |
| Newport | £765 | £935 |
| Swansea | £720 | £895 |
| Bridgend | £675 | £850 |
| Wrexham | £675 | £850 |
| Llanelli | £585 | £750 |
Places with similar rents
If you are weighing up where to live, these places have a 1-bed rent closest to Cardiff. The cheapest place we track is Hartlepool at £540.
- Chester£900
- Maidstone£900
- Portsmouth£900
- Solihull£900
- Southend-on-Sea£900
- Swindon£900
Renting in Cardiff: common questions
What is the average rent in Cardiff?
In 2026/27 the indicative average rent in Cardiff is £900 a month for a 1-bedroom property and £1,150 a month for a 2-bedroom property, and £1,315 for a 3-bedroom property. That makes Cardiff the 35th most expensive of the 109 UK cities and towns we track.
How much do I need to earn to rent a 1-bed in Cardiff?
To keep a £900 rent at the 30% guideline you need monthly take-home pay of about £3,000. For a more comfortable 28% share it is £3,215, and the absolute minimum at 40% is £2,250.
Is Cardiff cheaper than London?
Yes. A 1-bed in Cardiff averages £900 a month against £1,890 in London, a difference of £990 a month.
How much is weekly rent in Cardiff?
A 1-bed at £900 a month works out at roughly £208 a week, or £10,800 a year. A 2-bed at £1,150 a month is roughly £265 a week.
How does Cardiff compare with the rest of Wales?
Across the 6 places we track in Wales, 1-bed rents range from £585 in Llanelli to £900 in Cardiff, with a middle value of £698. Cardiff is 1st most expensive in the region.
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Figures are indicative averages for 2026/27, rounded for planning, and are for information only. They are not financial, legal or housing advice. See our methodology for how the figures are produced. Last reviewed October 2026.