Bristol vs Cardiff
Cost of living, weather and lifestyle comparison.
Cheaper: Cardiff
Better Weather: Bristol
Lifestyle: Bristol
Overall: Cardiff
Cost of Living (2025 data) Cardiff
| Bristol | Cardiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | £1,888 | £1,157 |
| Average House Price | £346,796 | £269,319 |
| Average Monthly Energy Bill | £102.30 | £83.30 |
| Average Monthly Food Cost | £68.80 | £62.20 |
| Average Salary | £3,453 | £3,302 |
Cardiff is noticeably more affordable than Bristol. Rent, energy bills and everyday expenses are all meaningfully lower, which translates to significantly more disposable income for residents. For anyone on a budget, this is a substantial consideration.
Weather (2025 data) Bristol
| Bristol | Cardiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Hours | 1378 | 1378 |
| Rainfall | 1153mm | 1153mm |
| Average Temperature | 14.78°C | 14.78°C |
In terms of climate, Bristol and Cardiff are near-identical. Neither city has a meaningful edge in sunshine, rainfall or temperature, so the weather is unlikely to be a factor in choosing between them.
Want to know more about the weather and weather history? Then visit our sister site https://uk-historic-weather.co.uk
Lifestyle & Location Bristol
Bristol has a slight lifestyle edge. Its advantages include Major Airport Nearby, Access to Nature, Vibrant Nightlife. The difference is subtle, though, and both cities have plenty to offer in terms of day-to-day living.
Bristol
- Within close distance of a major airport (transport)
- Close to parks, countryside or national parks (environment)
- Active nightlife and entertainment scene (lifestyle)
- Population 494,399
Cardiff
- City is located on the coast (location)
- Smaller, easier to navigate city (size)
- Population 383,919
Nearest Premier League Football Clubs
Bristol
No nearby club found.
Cardiff
No nearby club found.
Location
Bristol
Cardiff
Who Should Choose Each?
Choose Bristol if:
- Major Airport Nearby
- Access to Nature
- Vibrant Nightlife
Choose Cardiff if:
- More affordable overall (salary-adjusted)
- Lower rent costs
- More affordable house prices
- Coastal Location
- Compact City
Overall Score
Bristol
Cardiff
Final Verdict
Cardiff comes out ahead overall.
Cardiff comes out ahead overall, with affordability being the primary reason for the difference. Lifestyle also plays a supporting role. While Bristol is by no means a poor choice, Cardiff offers a more rounded package when all factors are weighed up together.