Living costs
Cardiff has been named one of the most affordable of all the UK's university cities.
Cardiff came second in the Natwest Student Living Index 2023 which accounts for factors such as how much students spend on going out to income through part-time work.
See how far your money goes by using our simple living costs calculator. The living costs shown are estimates for 2023/24.
| Item | Per month (calculated over 9 months) | Per year (39 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent including bills | 613.66 | 5,522.98 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 2,299.83 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 153.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,377.09 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 315.00 |
| Mobile phone* and TV licence*** (assuming a TV license is bought for each bedroom) | 31.25 | 281.25 |
| Total | 1,105.46 | 9,949.15 |
| Item | Per month | Per year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent in private sector | 450.00 | 5,400.00 |
| Utility bills (gas, electricity, water and broadband) | 64.00 | 768.00 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 3,066.44 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 204.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,836.12 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 420.00 |
| Telephone/mobile* and TV licence*** (assuming one TV licence for the house) | 21.32 | 255.84 |
| Total | 995.87 | 11,950.40 |
| Item | Per month (calculated over 9 months) | Per year (39 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent including bills | 613.66 | 5,522.98 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 2,299.83 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 153.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,377.09 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 315.00 |
| Mobile phone* and TV licence*** (assuming a TV license is bought for each bedroom) | 31.25 | 281.25 |
| Total | 1,105.46 | 9,949.15 |
| Item | Per month | Per year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent in private sector | 450.00 | 5,400.00 |
| Utility bills (gas, electricity, water and broadband) | 64.00 | 768.00 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 3,066.44 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 204.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,836.12 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 420.00 |
| Telephone/mobile* and TV licence*** (assuming one TV licence for the house) | 21.32 | 255.94 |
| Total | 995.87 | 11,950.40 |
| Item | Per month | Per year (52 weeks except Halls cost which is 51 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent including bills (calculated over 51 weeks) | 618.00 | 7,427.71 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 3,066.44 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 204.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,836.12 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 420.00 |
| Mobile phone* and TV licence*** (assuming a TV license is bought for each bedroom) | 21.32 | 255.84 |
| Total | 1,100.84 | 13,210.11 |
| Item | Per month | Per year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent in private sector | 450.00 | 5,400.00 |
| Utility bills (gas, electricity, water and broadband) | 64.00 | 768.00 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 3,066.44 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 204.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,836.12 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 420.00 |
| Telephone/mobile* and TV license*** (assuming one TV license for the house) | 21.32 | 255.84 |
| Total | 995.87 | 11,950.40 |
| Item | Per month | Per year (52 weeks except Halls cost which is 51 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent including bills (calculated over 51 weeks) | 618.98 | 7,427.71 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 3,066.44 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 204.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,836.12 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 420.00 |
| Mobile phone* and TV licence*** (assuming a TV license is bought for each bedroom) | 21.32 | 255.84 |
| Total | 1,100.84 | 13,210.11 |
| Item | Per month | Per year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent in private sector | 450.00 | 5,400.00 |
| Utility bills (gas, electricity, water and broadband) | 64.00 | 768.00 |
| Food, toiletries and laundry** | 255.54 | 3,066.44 |
| Study costs (books and copying)* | 17.00 | 204.00 |
| Socialising and leisure* | 153.01 | 1,836.12 |
| Clothes* | 35.00 | 420.00 |
| Telephone/mobile* and TV license*** (assuming one TV license for the house) | 21.32 | 255.84 |
| Total | 995.87 | 11,950.40 |
* Figures taken from the Student Living Costs in the UK 2023
** Figures taken from The Food Foundation and Laundry Services
*** Figures taken from TV Licensing
International students
The minimum cost of living as recommended by UKVI for studying outside London is £1,023 per month. To pass the maintenance test for your student visa, you will have to show you have money for the cost of your first year tuition fees and living costs of £9,207.
Tuition fees
This tool is intended to give you an example of living costs for a student at university. Actual living costs will vary from student to student.
All living costs quoted are reasonable estimates but should not be relied upon. It is your responsibility to ensure you have sufficient funds to meet living costs while studying at the university.
