Data Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Birmingham vs Cardiff
Birmingham wins on purchasing power. Birmingham data analysts have £290/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.
Birmingham salary
£40,000
£2,693/mo take-home
Cardiff salary
£36,000
£2,453/mo take-home
Birmingham wins by
+£290
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Birmingham
After paying rent, a data analyst in Birmingham retains £290/month more than in Cardiff — that's £3,480/year extra in purchasing power.
+£290
per month
Birmingham
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£40,000
Net monthly
£2,693
Rent (1-bed)
£850
Rent-to-income
32% — Comfortable
After rent
£1,843
Cardiff
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£36,000
Net monthly
£2,453
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
37% — Stretched
After rent
£1,553
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 65 for Birmingham and 64 for Cardiff, a salary of £40,000 in Birmingham delivers equivalent purchasing power to £39,400 in Cardiff.
Birmingham £40,000 ≈
£39,400
in Cardiff
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Birmingham
47%
Cardiff
40%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Birmingham
£2.47
Cardiff
£2.43
Transit (single trip)
Birmingham
£1.55
Cardiff
£1.19
Gym membership
Birmingham
£36/mo
Cardiff
£35/mo
Cinema ticket
Birmingham
£10.40
Cardiff
£10.24
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Frequently asked questions
Does a data analyst earn more in Birmingham or Cardiff? +
Birmingham pays a median £40,000 vs £36,000 in Cardiff
— a gross difference of £4,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Birmingham professionals
have £290/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a data analyst in Birmingham vs Cardiff? +
In Birmingham: gross £40,000 → £2,693/month net take-home.
In Cardiff: gross £36,000 → £2,453/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Birmingham leaves £1,843/month
vs Cardiff's £1,553/month.
What salary in Cardiff matches Birmingham purchasing power? +
Approximately £39,400 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£40,000 in Birmingham, based on a cost-of-living index of
65 (Birmingham) vs 64 (Cardiff).
Is Birmingham or Cardiff cheaper to live in? +
Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 65 for Birmingham (London = 100).
Rent in Birmingham averages £850/month (1-bed)
vs £900/month in Cardiff.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a data analyst in Birmingham? +
A data analyst in Birmingham earning £40,000 takes home
£2,693/month. With median 1-bed rent of £850/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 32%
(comfortable).
In Cardiff the equivalent ratio is 37%.