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Cost of living in Cardiff for students
What it costs to live in Cardiff as a student, from official rent figures.
Average private rent in the Cardiff area was £1,177 a month in August 2026, 16% below the UK average of £1,400. The average for Wales was £846.
What this means for a student budget
University halls and rooms in shared student houses usually cost less than a whole home, and halls often include bills. Even so, rent is most students' biggest cost. A one-bedroom home at the average rent here would take about 101% of the largest Maintenance Loan for students from England living away from home outside London (£10,830 for 2026 to 2027). Most students get less than the largest loan, depending on household income.
For international students, the Student visa asks you to show £1,171 a month for living costs, for up to nine months. That is a minimum set by the Home Office, not an estimate of real costs here.
A home where everyone is a full-time student does not pay council tax. If you share with someone who is not a student, the household may get a bill with a discount.
Universities and colleges in Cardiff
| University or college | Student experience (NSS 2026) | Earnings after five years |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | 84.5% | £30,7006% below the UK average for its subjects |
| Cardiff University | 83.1% | £37,3002% above the UK average for its subjects |
| Royal Welsh College of Music and DramaCollege | 74.9% | Not published |
Sources: National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students (Open Government Licence v3.0), first degree, full-time, by teaching provider; LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education (Open Government Licence v3.0), median earnings five years after graduating; Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA (CC BY 4.0), continuation and graduate prospects. All sources and licences.
Rents: Price Index of Private Rents, Office for National Statistics (Open Government Licence v3.0). Area: Cardiff. Loan and visa figures: GOV.UK, checked 24 September 2026.
Build your budget
Use the budget calculator to add food, travel and other costs, and compare the total with your loan or visa amount.
Open the budget calculatorSources
- Price Index of Private Rents, Office for National Statistics
- National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students
- LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education
- GOV.UK: Student finance
- GOV.UK: Student visa, money you need
Data used under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Office for Students, Department for Education, ONS) and CC BY 4.0 (HESA). All sources and licences.
Quick answers
How much is rent in Cardiff?
The ONS average private rent in the Cardiff area was £1,177 a month in August 2026, and £908 for a one-bedroom home. Student rooms usually cost less than a whole home.
Is Cardiff cheaper than the UK average?
Average rent in Cardiff was 16% below the UK average of £1,400 a month in August 2026.
Do students pay council tax in Cardiff?
No, if everyone living in the home is a full-time student, the home does not pay council tax.