Cost of Living In Cardiff for Students [Updated Prices 2024]

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales; it has evolved into a contemporary, flourishing, multicultural metropolis that attracts visitors from all over the world, particularly when rugby matches are held there. Nothing compares to hearing the Welsh national anthem before a homecoming rugby match. If you are thinking about relocating to Cardiff, it is crucial to know the cost of living in Cardiff for international students and what factors impact your budget. While there is a high possibility that you may have bagged a scholarship or may have obtained an education loan to finance your education & living costs, knowing what your expenditures are and what consumes your budget is essential. On that note, this article elaborates on the living expenses in Cardiff for international students.

What Is The Cost Of Living In Cardiff For Students?

The cost of living in Cardiff for international students can vary depending on factors such as accommodation, transportation, and personal expenses. On average, students can expect to spend around £1,038 to £1,293 per month on living expenses, which include rent, food, and other necessities. University halls are cheaper than private rentals, while cooking and utilizing student discounts can further reduce expenses. International students need to demonstrate access to £1,023 per month for visa purposes. Student life in Cardiff for Indian students typically ranges from ₹73,729 to £89,528 per month. You can make significant savings by preparing meals at home, taking advantage of student discounts, and exploring cost-free activities! Here is a breakdown of all the important aspects to consider while splitting your expenses and living costs in Cardiff.

Below is a breakdown of the cost of living in the Cardiff for Indian Students

*The accommodation costs are dynamic in nature and are based on property availability

Cardiff Accommodation

Note – Student housing is budget-friendly as it covers utilities, which is priced at £288 to £300 per month. That is around 10-15% of total living costs.

Living Cost In Cardiff 

1. Moving And Shipping Costs To Cardiff

When it comes to the cost of living in Cardiff in terms of shipping and moving, the charges may confuse you. The table below shows some samples of container shipping charges to Cardiff from other important global cities. Keep in mind that they only reflect the shipment portion of the cost, not the entire moving cost.

• USA (New York City) – £1,050+
• Canada (Vancouver) – £1,770+
• London – £360+
• Australia (Sydney) – £2,640+
• Ireland (Dublin) – £250+
• New Zealand (Auckland) – £3,100+
• Hong Kong – £590+
• Dubai – £1,980+
• Singapore – £950+

Using our moving quote form above, you may save money by researching removal companies if you are moving inside the UK and international moving companies if you are moving from overseas.

2. Cardiff Housing Costs

In comparison to other major cities throughout the world, the best student accommodation in Cardiff and the cost of living in Cardiff are relatively inexpensive. Prices certainly vary by location, but the statistics below should give you an idea of what’s available and at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Cardiff

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: £500+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: £400+
• 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: £800+
• 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: £650+

Cardiff Home Purchase Prices

• 1-bed flats (apartments): £60,000+
• 3-bed house: £110,000+

Cardiff Housing Cost Comparison

This is how rents for the cost of living in Cardiff compare with other cities around the globe:

• London is 189.50% more expensive
• New York is 316.06% more expensive
• Los Angeles is 176.02% more expensive
• Toronto is 65.20% more expensive
• Sydney is 172.33% more expensive
• Paris is 74.73% more expensive
• Dubai is 203.59% more expensive

How to Save on Housing Costs

• Share An Apartment Or Home – Cardiff offers flat areas and enormous houses that are divided into flats that are suitable for individuals looking to save money. You can rent a room and share a bathroom, or you can locate a like-minded individual to share a room with you to save even more money. Use Gumtree, SpareRoom, or Easyroommate to find somebody you can get along with who will share the bills with you. If you’re a student, you might want to look into Resooma.
• Different Areas, Different Prices – Different regions of the city, like all cities, have varying prices. Cathays is one of the more affordable neighbourhoods, and it is close to the university. Roath is located somewhat outside of the city centre and is ideal for young professionals and people with young families. The burgeoning Bay Area caters to a wide range of budgets. Pontcanna and Llandaff are ideal for folks with a higher income. These houses are big and set on a tree-lined street.

3. Cardiff Food, Grocery And Restaurant Costs

Cardiffians, as the city’s residents are affectionately known, appreciate a diverse range of meals, and their stores and restaurants reflect this. However, with the recent drop in the value of the pound, the price of a lot of imported goods has risen, which has undoubtedly driven up restaurant pricing. Students in Cardiff can expect to spend around £255.54 per month on food. This cost varies depending on individual needs and habits, but resources like the Cardiff University Food Bank can help students manage their budget effectively. For Indian students in Cardiff, food costs around ₹30,544 per month, emphasizing the need for careful budgeting in managing dining expenses.

• Inexpensive Restaurant: £8.00 – £12.00
• Takeout Coffee: £2.00 – £2.80
• Bottle of Coke: £0.70 – £1.15
• 1L of milk: £0.75 – £0.90
• Loaf of Bread: £0.62 – £1.20
• 12 Eggs: £1.00 – £3.00
• 1kg Chicken: £5.00 – £8.00
• 1kg Beef: £5.00 – £12.00
• 1kg Apples: £0.79 – £1.00
• 1kg White Rice: £0.45 – £2.00

This chart compares restaurant and food prices in major cities throughout the world:

• New York restaurants are 52.84% more expensive and groceries are 71.56% more expensive than in Cardiff.
• Toronto restaurants are 1.78% cheaper and groceries are 22.98% more expensive than in Cardiff.
• Sydney restaurants are 12.39% more expensive and groceries are 34.44% more expensive than in Cardiff.
• Paris restaurants are 20.72% more expensive and groceries are 28.66% more expensive than in Cardiff.
• Dubai restaurants are 0.11% more expensive and groceries are 1.43% cheaper than in Cardiff.

4. Cardiff Transportation Fares

The cost of living in Cardiff in terms of transportation is low since it is a small city, thus everything is close to one another. There is, however, a strong bus service within the city as well as railways to transport you to the rest of the country. Cardiff Bus operates the buses, and National Rail operates the trains. Here are some examples of ticket prices.

• Adult Single – £1.80
• One Day Ticket For Bus And Train – £3.50
• Weekly Season Ticket For Bus – £13
• Monthly Season Ticket – £45

Cardiff bus tickets offer a range of options for students. The Freedom Ticket, priced at £12, provides 12 single tickets for travel within Cardiff. Alternatively, students can purchase 10 adult singles for £18. Another option is the Easy-Three, which offers 3 day tickets bundled together at a discounted price of £12. These various ticket choices are part of the overall cost of transport for students in Cardiff, providing affordable ways to get around the city.

Transportation in Cardiff is convenient for Indian students, with accessible options like buses, trains, and bicycles. A single one-way journey is reasonably priced at just ₹231, and you can opt for a monthly pass starting at ₹5,793.

How To Save Money On Public Transport

• Purchase a weekend family ticket (2 adults and 3 children) for £5 for unlimited travel
• Purchase a PlusBus ticket for cheaper bus and train travel.
• Purchase a bicycle. There is a well-developed network of bike lanes across the city.
• The city isn’t that big, and getting some exercise is always a good idea.

Opting for public transportation or car services can help you cut down on your expenses with a less expensive option. Here are some ways of transport while you live as a student in Cardiff.

• Taxis – Can be a less expensive option, especially if you’re going on parking all day. Consider Uber.
• Car Sharing And Carpooling – This is currently encouraged in the majority of countries throughout the world. For the most up-to-date information, visit easyCar Club, Bla Bla Car, Car Pool World, and Car Share.

PS: If there’s anything more you’d like us to know about. Add it to the comments section!

Thank you for reading this blog on ‘Cost Of Living In Cardiff’. If you’d like to read more, here are some blogs that might be of interest to you:

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