Average rent in Cardiff
The average private rent in Cardiff was £1,179 a month in September 2026, +3.2% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,086, 16% below the UK average of £1,287 and 39% above the average for Wales. It is the most expensive of 22 areas in Wales. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+3.8%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Cardiff
Two common tests: rent at no more than 30% of gross income, and the letting-agent referencing check of an annual income at least 30× the monthly rent.
| Home | Rent (pcm) | Salary for 30% rule | Agent check (30× rent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £910 | £36,400 | £27,300 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,086 | £43,440 | £32,580 |
The median full-time salary for Cardiff residents is £36,946 (2025, £19.00 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 30% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Cardiff
How rents in Cardiff have changed
Average rent is +64.4% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,179 | £1,086 |
| 2025 | £1,143 | £1,056 |
| 2024 | £1,051 | £986 |
| 2023 | £957 | £897 |
| 2022 | £865 | £802 |
| 2021 | £858 | £789 |
| 2020 | £837 | £772 |
| 2019 | £808 | £742 |
| 2018 | £786 | £725 |
| 2017 | £770 | £710 |
| 2016 | £717 | £669 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salford | North West | £889 | £1,086 | £1,291 | +3.1% |
| 2 | York | Yorkshire and The Humber | £879 | £1,088 | £1,286 | +6.7% |
| 3 | Eastbourne | South East | £823 | £1,083 | £1,313 | +1.9% |
| 4 | North Somerset | South West | £822 | £1,082 | £1,350 | +3.1% |
| 5 | Greater Glasgow | Scotland | £845 | £1,091 | £1,340 | +1.1% |
| 6 | Havant | South East | £857 | £1,092 | £1,364 | +4.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cardiff?
The average private rent in Cardiff was £1,179 a month in September 2026, up 3.2% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £910 and a two-bedroom £1,086 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Cardiff?
To keep a £910 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £36,400 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £27,300. The median full-time salary for residents is £36,946.
Is Cardiff expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Cardiff costs £1,086 a month, 16% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 172 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
Rents: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (September 2026), average of new and existing private tenancies — official statistics in development. House prices: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index. Pay: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, median gross pay of full-time employees by place of residence. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. See our methodology.