Financial Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Cardiff vs Edinburgh
Edinburgh wins on purchasing power. Edinburgh financial analysts have £216/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.
Cardiff salary
£44,000
£2,933/mo take-home
Edinburgh salary
£54,000
£3,349/mo take-home
Edinburgh wins by
+£216
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Edinburgh
After paying rent, a financial analyst in Edinburgh retains £216/month more than in Cardiff — that's £2,592/year extra in purchasing power.
+£216
per month
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
Edinburgh
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£54,000
Net monthly
£3,349
Rent (1-bed)
£1,100
Rent-to-income
33% — Comfortable
After rent
£2,249
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 72 for Edinburgh, a salary of £44,000 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £49,500 in Edinburgh.
Cardiff £44,000 ≈
£49,500
in Edinburgh
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Cardiff
50%
Edinburgh
48%
Everyday costs
Estimated typical prices · scaled from Numbeo 2025
Cappuccino
Cardiff
£2.43
Edinburgh
£2.74
Transit (single trip)
Cardiff
£1.19
Edinburgh
£1.48
Gym membership
Cardiff
£35/mo
Edinburgh
£40/mo
Cinema ticket
Cardiff
£10.24
Edinburgh
£11.52
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Frequently asked questions
Does a financial analyst earn more in Cardiff or Edinburgh? +
Cardiff pays a median £44,000 vs £54,000 in Edinburgh
— a gross difference of £10,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Edinburgh professionals
have £216/month more disposable income, making it the stronger city in real terms.
What is the take-home pay for a financial analyst in Cardiff vs Edinburgh? +
In Cardiff: gross £44,000 → £2,933/month net take-home.
In Edinburgh: gross £54,000 → £3,349/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £2,033/month
vs Edinburgh's £2,249/month.
What salary in Edinburgh matches Cardiff purchasing power? +
Approximately £49,500 in Edinburgh delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£44,000 in Cardiff, based on a cost-of-living index of
64 (Cardiff) vs 72 (Edinburgh).
Is Cardiff or Edinburgh cheaper to live in? +
Cardiff is cheaper overall, with a cost-of-living index of 64 vs 72 for Edinburgh (London = 100).
Rent in Cardiff averages £900/month (1-bed)
vs £1,100/month in Edinburgh.
What is the rent-to-income ratio for a financial analyst in Cardiff? +
A financial analyst in Cardiff earning £44,000 takes home
£2,933/month. With median 1-bed rent of £900/month,
the rent-to-income ratio is 31%
(comfortable).
In Edinburgh the equivalent ratio is 33%.