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 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 Club
Bristol
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Cardiff
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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.
The verdict goes to Cardiff, driven primarily by its edge in affordability with lifestyle providing additional support. It is a meaningful gap, though not a chasm — Bristol still has genuine strengths and would suit people whose priorities lean towards what it does best.