Data Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Cardiff vs Sheffield
Sheffield wins on purchasing power. Sheffield data analysts have £195/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.
Cardiff salary
£36,000
£2,453/mo take-home
Sheffield salary
£38,000
£2,573/mo take-home
Sheffield wins by
+£195
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Sheffield
After paying rent, a data analyst in Sheffield retains £195/month more than in Cardiff — that's £2,340/year extra in purchasing power.
+£195
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
Sheffield
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£38,000
Net monthly
£2,573
Rent (1-bed)
£825
Rent-to-income
32% — Comfortable
After rent
£1,748
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 63 for Sheffield, a salary of £36,000 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £35,450 in Sheffield.
Cardiff £36,000 ≈
£35,450
in Sheffield
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Cardiff
40%
Sheffield
45%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Cardiff
£2.43
Sheffield
£2.39
Transit (single trip)
Cardiff
£1.19
Sheffield
£1.55
Gym membership
Cardiff
£35/mo
Sheffield
£35/mo
Cinema ticket
Cardiff
£10.24
Sheffield
£10.08
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Frequently asked questions
Does a data analyst earn more in Cardiff or Sheffield? +
Cardiff pays a median £36,000 vs £38,000 in Sheffield
— a gross difference of £2,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Sheffield professionals
have £195/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 Sheffield? +
In Cardiff: gross £36,000 → £2,453/month net take-home.
In Sheffield: gross £38,000 → £2,573/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £1,553/month
vs Sheffield's £1,748/month.
What salary in Sheffield matches Cardiff purchasing power? +
Approximately £35,450 in Sheffield delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£36,000 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of
64 (Cardiff) vs 63 (Sheffield).
Is Cardiff or Sheffield cheaper to live in? +
Sheffield is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 63 vs 64 for Cardiff (London = 100).
Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £825/month in Sheffield.
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 Sheffield the equivalent ratio is 32%.