Financial Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Bristol vs Cardiff
Bristol wins on purchasing power. Bristol financial analysts have £10/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.
Bristol salary
£52,000
£3,393/mo take-home
Cardiff salary
£44,000
£2,933/mo take-home
Bristol wins by
+£10
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Bristol
After paying rent, a financial analyst in Bristol retains £10/month more than in Cardiff — that's £120/year extra in purchasing power.
+£10
per month
Bristol
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£52,000
Net monthly
£3,393
Rent (1-bed)
£1,350
Rent-to-income
40% — Stretched
After rent
£2,043
Cardiff
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£44,000
Net monthly
£2,933
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
31% — Comfortable
After rent
£2,033
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 75 for Bristol and 64 for Cardiff, a salary of £52,000 in Bristol delivers equivalent purchasing power to £44,350 in Cardiff.
Bristol £52,000 ≈
£44,350
in Cardiff
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Bristol
41%
Cardiff
50%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Bristol
£2.85
Cardiff
£2.43
Transit (single trip)
Bristol
£1.90
Cardiff
£1.19
Gym membership
Bristol
£41/mo
Cardiff
£35/mo
Cinema ticket
Bristol
£12.00
Cardiff
£10.24
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Frequently asked questions
Does a financial analyst earn more in Bristol or Cardiff? +
Bristol pays a median £52,000 vs £44,000 in Cardiff
— a gross difference of £8,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Bristol professionals
have £10/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a financial analyst in Bristol vs Cardiff? +
In Bristol: gross £52,000 → £3,393/month net take-home.
In Cardiff: gross £44,000 → £2,933/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Bristol leaves £2,043/month
vs Cardiff's £2,033/month.
What salary in Cardiff matches Bristol purchasing power? +
Approximately £44,350 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£52,000 in Bristol, based on a cost-of-living index of
75 (Bristol) vs 64 (Cardiff).
Is Bristol or Cardiff cheaper to live in? +
Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 75 for Bristol (London = 100).
Rent in Bristol averages £1,350/month (1-bed)
vs £900/month in Cardiff.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a financial analyst in Bristol? +
A financial analyst in Bristol earning £52,000 takes home
£3,393/month. With median 1-bed rent of £1,350/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 40%
(stretched).
In Cardiff the equivalent ratio is 31%.