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 |
There is a clear affordability gap between these two cities, with Cardiff coming out well ahead. Housing costs in particular are markedly lower, and the savings extend to groceries and utilities too. This could make a real difference to your quality of life.
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 comes out just ahead on lifestyle factors. Its advantages include Major Airport Nearby, Access to Nature, Vibrant Nightlife. However, the margin is slim and the other city is far from lacking — it simply has a slightly different mix of strengths.
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.