Cardiff vs Swansea
Renting in Cardiff costs £325/month more than Swansea.
Rent comparison
Overall, renting in Swansea is £325/month cheaper than Cardiff - that's £3,900/year.
Source: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR)
Earnings comparison
Residents of Cardiff earn £665/year more than those in Swansea.
Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings
House prices comparison
House prices in Cardiff are £67,000 (33%) higher than in Swansea.
Over the last 10 years, house prices in Cardiff have risen by 55.4%, compared to 51.9% in Swansea.
Source: ONS / HM Land Registry
Council tax comparison
You would pay £225/year more in council tax (Band D) living in Swansea than in Cardiff.
| Band | Cardiff | Swansea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,342 | £1,492 | Swansea +£150/yr |
| Band B | £1,566 | £1,741 | Swansea +£175/yr |
| Band C | £1,789 | £1,990 | Swansea +£201/yr |
| Band D Benchmark | £2,013 | £2,238 | Swansea +£225/yr |
| Band E | £2,461 | £2,736 | Swansea +£275/yr |
| Band F | £2,908 | £3,233 | Swansea +£325/yr |
| Band G | £3,355 | £3,730 | Swansea +£375/yr |
| Band H | £4,026 | £4,477 | Swansea +£451/yr |
| Band I | £4,697 | £5,223 | Swansea +£526/yr |
Source: MHCLG / Scottish Government / Welsh Government
Band D is used as the standard benchmark for comparing council tax across areas. Other bands are set as fixed proportions of the Band D amount.
Energy comparison
| Measure | Cardiff | Swansea |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | £1,723 | £1,723 |
| Monthly | £144 | £144 |
| Energy region | South Wales | South Wales |
Energy estimates are based on the Ofgem price cap, which is set nationally. Regional variation is small; we show the same headline figure across regions for transparency.
Source: Ofgem Energy Price Cap, Q4 2026
Water comparison
| Measure | Cardiff | Swansea |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | £627 | £627 |
| Monthly | £52 | £52 |
| Water company | Dwr Cymru Welsh Water | Dwr Cymru Welsh Water |
Source: Water UK / Discover Water, 2026-27
Water company boundaries don't always align cleanly with local authority boundaries; the company shown here is the most common provider in each area.
Climate comparison
Cardiff and Swansea have similar climate conditions.
Source: Met Office HadUK-Grid, 1991-2020 averages. Crown copyright. Open Government Licence v3.0.
Crime comparison
Cardiff has a higher crime rate than Swansea, with 944 vs 748 recorded crimes per 10,000 people.
Source: Home Office / Scottish Government recorded crime
Recording practices vary between police forces. Crime rates reflect reported and recorded crime only.
Choosing between Cardiff and Swansea? Check a home in either.
Enter a postcode in Cardiff or Swansea for a free preview: last sale price, EPC rating, flood risk and crime nearby.