Financial Analyst · City comparison · 2026
Cardiff vs Leeds
Leeds wins on purchasing power. Leeds financial analysts have £300/month more disposable income after rent than their Cardiff counterparts.
Cardiff salary
£44,000
£2,933/mo take-home
Leeds salary
£49,000
£3,233/mo take-home
Leeds wins by
+£300
per month after rent
Winner on purchasing power
Leeds
After paying rent, a financial analyst in Leeds retains £300/month more than in Cardiff — that's £3,600/year extra in purchasing power.
+£300
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
Leeds
View full breakdown →
Gross salary
£49,000
Net monthly
£3,233
Rent (1-bed)
£900
Rent-to-income
28% — Comfortable
After rent
£2,333
Cost-of-living equivalence
Based on a cost-of-living index of 64 for Cardiff and 66 for Leeds, a salary of £44,000 in Cardiff delivers equivalent purchasing power to £45,400 in Leeds.
Cardiff £44,000 ≈
£45,400
in Leeds
Income retention after all essentials
% of net monthly pay remaining after rent, transport, council tax and groceries
Cardiff
50%
Leeds
54%
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 financial analyst earn more in Cardiff or Leeds? +
Cardiff pays a median £44,000 vs £49,000 in Leeds
— a gross difference of £5,000.
However, after accounting for rent and living costs, Leeds professionals
have £300/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 Leeds? +
In Cardiff: gross £44,000 → £2,933/month net take-home.
In Leeds: gross £49,000 → £3,233/month net take-home.
After paying median 1-bed rent, Cardiff leaves £2,033/month
vs Leeds's £2,333/month.
What salary in Leeds matches Cardiff purchasing power? +
Approximately £45,400 in Leeds delivers equivalent purchasing power to
£44,000 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 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 Leeds the equivalent ratio is 28%.