📍 Wales

Cost of Living in Cardiff
for International Students

Updated April 2026 · Based on real student spending data · UK's cheapest capital city — compact, friendly, and growing

Cardiff is the UK's cheapest capital — roughly 45–50% less than London per month. Most international students in Cardiff spend between £740 and £1,030 per month on rent, food, transport, and basic living costs.

Shared rent

£420–£680

Food / month

£155–£245

Transport

£65

Monthly total

£740–£1,030

Full Monthly Budget Breakdown

ExpenseRangeNote
Rent (shared room)£420–£680Most students share
Rent (studio/own flat)£620–£850Single occupancy
Food & groceries£155–£245Cooking most meals
Public transport£65Monthly pass
Utilities & internet£60Bills share + broadband
Entertainment / social£40–£100Occasional going out
Monthly Total£740–£1,030Shared room

💼 Can Part-Time Work Cover Your Costs?

Part-time earnings

£996

20hrs/wk @ £11.5/hr

Min living cost

£740

Survival mode

Monthly gap

+£256

Surplus

Working the legal maximum of 20 hours/week during term time at Cardiff's average wage of £11.5/hr earns approximately £996/month gross (before tax). This covers your minimum living costs with £256 to spare.

🎯 Cardiff Student Money Tips

  • 1

    Roath, Canton, and Cathays are the best student areas from £420/month

  • 2

    Cardiff Bay has growing finance and media job opportunities

  • 3

    The BBC Wales headquarters is in Cardiff — great for media students

  • 4

    Cardiff Market is excellent for cheap fresh food

  • 5

    Rail connections to Bristol and London make Cardiff well-connected

Free tool

Calculate Your Real Monthly Cost

Enter your course, city, and lifestyle. Get a personalised ROI simulation with worst, realistic, and best-case scenarios.

Your tuition

£15,000/yr

Living in Cardiff

£740–£1,030/mo

Part-time offset

~£996/mo

Calculate my real ROI →

Free · No sign-up · Takes 3 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cardiff cheap for students?+
Cardiff is the cheapest capital city in the UK. Students typically spend £740–1,000/month. Shared accommodation in Cathays or Roath starts from £420–500/month.
What is Cardiff like for international students?+
Cardiff is a compact, friendly city with a growing international student community. Cardiff University is a Russell Group member with strong research. The city is safe, walkable, and has good rail links to England.

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