Data Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Cardiff vs Leeds
Leeds wins on purchasing power. Leeds data analysts have £240/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.
Cardiff salary
£36,000
£2,453/mo take-home
Leeds salary
£40,000
£2,693/mo take-home
Leeds wins by
+£240
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Leeds
After paying rent, a data analyst in Leeds retains £240/month more than in Cardiff — that's £2,880/year extra in purchasing power.
+£240
per month
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
Leeds
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£40,000
Net monthly
£2,693
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
33% — Comfortable
After rent
£1,793
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 66 for Leeds, a salary of £36,000 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £37,150 in Leeds.
Cardiff £36,000 ≈
£37,150
in Leeds
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Cardiff
40%
Leeds
45%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Cardiff
£2.43
Leeds
£2.51
Transit (single trip)
Cardiff
£1.19
Leeds
£1.55
Gym membership
Cardiff
£35/mo
Leeds
£36/mo
Cinema ticket
Cardiff
£10.24
Leeds
£10.56
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Frequently asked questions
Does a data analyst earn more in Cardiff or Leeds? +
Cardiff pays a median £36,000 vs £40,000 in Leeds
— a gross difference of £4,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Leeds professionals
have £240/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a data analyst in Cardiff vs Leeds? +
In Cardiff: gross £36,000 → £2,453/month net take-home.
In Leeds: gross £40,000 → £2,693/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £1,553/month
vs Leeds's £1,793/month.
What salary in Leeds matches Cardiff purchasing power? +
Approximately £37,150 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£36,000 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of
64 (Cardiff) vs 66 (Leeds).
Is Cardiff or Leeds cheaper to live in? +
Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 66 for Leeds (London = 100).
Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £900/month in Leeds.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a data analyst in Cardiff? +
A data analyst in Cardiff earning £36,000 takes home
£2,453/month. With median 1-bed rent of £900/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 37%
(stretched).
In Leeds the equivalent ratio is 33%.