Area guide · Cardiff

Is Cardiff a Good Place to Live? Full Area Report

Wales / South Glamorgan·Last updated:

Type the full address with its postcode to go straight to your report options. Try .

  • 65+ official sources
  • Emailed within 24 hours, usually faster
  • Sources and coverage gaps named
  • One-off payment, no subscription

Avg Property Price

£260,000

Avg Rent

£950/month

Crime Rating

Average

Schools (Good+)

N/A (Estyn)

Broadband Avg

74 Mbps

Transport

Good

Flood Risk

Medium

Population

365K

Is Cardiff a good place to live?

Cardiff is the vibrant capital of Wales, combining a compact city centre with a stunning waterfront development at Cardiff Bay and the iconic Principality Stadium. HouseCheckup analysis shows Cardiff offers excellent value compared to English cities of similar size, with strong growth in property prices over the past decade. The city blends Welsh culture and heritage with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, excellent parks, and easy access to the Brecon Beacons.

What is the average property price in Cardiff?

The average property price in Cardiff is £260,000, with average rent of £950/month. Population is 365K. These figures aggregate HM Land Registry transactions and live rental listings across Cardiff, and are updated alongside the rest of this guide on .

What's the flood risk in Cardiff?

HouseCheckup classifies the flood-risk picture in Cardiff as Medium, drawing on Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning data and surface-water flooding layers. A full HouseCheckup property report adds the postcode-specific zone, historical flood incidents, and 2050/2080 climate projections.

Is Cardiff a safe place to live?

Police.UK street-level data places Cardiff's overall crime rate at Average. Like every UK town and city, Cardiff has safer and less safe streets. See the HouseCheckup property report for the postcode-specific picture.

What are the schools like in Cardiff?

Around N/A (Estyn) in Cardiff. The HouseCheckup property report shows the catchment-area schools for any address with their full Ofsted history.

What is the transport like in Cardiff?

Cardiff has a transport rating of Good, drawn from NaPTAN public transport access nodes and rail data. Average broadband speed is 74 Mbps per Ofcom Connected Nations.

Pros of Living in Cardiff

  • Excellent value for money compared to English cities of equivalent size
  • Stunning Cardiff Bay waterfront with restaurants, entertainment, and the Senedd
  • Compact city centre that is walkable and easy to navigate
  • Close proximity to the Brecon Beacons and beautiful Welsh countryside
  • Strong employment in public sector, financial services, and creative industries

Cons of Living in Cardiff

  • Job market is smaller than Bristol or Birmingham despite being a capital city
  • Public transport links to other UK cities could be improved
  • Flood risk in some low-lying areas near the River Taff and Ely
  • Some northern valleys suburbs have higher deprivation levels

Check Any Property in Cardiff

Get a detailed HouseCheckup report for any address in Cardiff. Covers flood risk, EPC rating, crime statistics, school catchment areas, planning applications, and more, from just £24.99.

Type the full address with its postcode to go straight to your report options. Try .

Cancel for a full refund at any time before your report is emailed. Terms

Last updated:

What's in the report

A full PDF report bringing together available property risks, price history and neighbourhood context. A Complete report runs to 33 numbered sections in seven parts; Lite is the safety & environment part with the closing checklist and sources.

Reports from £9.99
  • The verdict
  • Safety & environment
  • Value & market
  • The home & energy
  • Area & lifestyle
  • Written for the address
  • Price History

    Every recorded sale on the street, with area price context.+5 checks

    HM Land Registry street and postcode transactions, plus local UK House Price Index context where available: every recorded sale on the street, newest first, with tenure, property type and new-build flags, typical price by property type, and how the local authority, region and nation compare

    • Every recorded sale on the street and postcode
    • Tenure, property type and new-build flags
    • Typical price by property type
    • Local authority, region and nation compared
    • Local UK House Price Index context

    Prints in: Value & market

  • Energy & Carbon

    The whole energy certificate, running costs and improvements.+7 checks

    Matched EPC band, potential improvements, estimated energy costs and carbon emissions where a certificate is available. You get the whole certificate: every element the assessor rated with its star ratings, running costs now and after the costed improvements, rooms, glazing, validity, plus modelled solar potential

    • Matched EPC band
    • Every rated element with its star ratings
    • Running costs now and after improvements
    • Costed potential improvements
    • Carbon emissions
    • Rooms, glazing and validity
    • Modelled solar potential

    Prints in: The home & energy

  • Flood & Climate Risk

    Flood maps, recorded flooding, defences and future scenarios.+8 checks

    Flood maps and recorded extents, with available future surface-water flood scenarios and coastal erosion data; coverage varies by nation. Included: every flood-warning area within 2 km and 5 km named, recorded flood events, river-flow climate allowances, Flood Re eligibility, and every flood defence within about 1.5 km with its condition

    • Flood maps and recorded extents
    • Future surface-water flood scenarios
    • Coastal erosion data
    • Flood-warning areas within 2 km and 5 km
    • Recorded flood events
    • River-flow climate allowances
    • Flood Re eligibility
    • Flood defences within about 1.5 km

    Prints in: Safety & environment

  • Ground & Environmental

    Ground hazards, radon, coal mining, noise and air quality.+7 checks

    BGS area hazard bands, radon potential, coal-mining screening, landslides, noise and modelled air quality: clay shrink-swell to the 2070s, the seven ground-hazard ratings with the distance to the nearest higher-rated cell, every recorded landslide nearby, the radon band for the 1 km square, and nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 and PM10 against the legal objectives

    • Clay shrink-swell to the 2070s
    • Seven ground-hazard ratings
    • Recorded landslides nearby
    • Radon band for the 1 km square
    • Coal-mining screening
    • Noise
    • Nitrogen dioxide, PM2.5 and PM10

    Prints in: Safety & environment

  • Crime & Safety

    Police-recorded crime by category, with the trend.+6 checks

    Published police.uk crime categories and monthly history in England and Wales, with missing months explained: the last six months and the 24-month total within a mile, every category's share and per-month rate, and the change between the last six months and the six before

    • Last six months within a mile
    • The 24-month total
    • Every category's share
    • Per-month rate by category
    • Change against the six months before
    • Missing months explained

    Prints in: Area & lifestyle

  • Schools & Healthcare

    Schools nearby, plus GPs, pharmacies and health context.+5 checks

    Schools with available inspection information, OpenStreetMap amenities such as GPs and pharmacies, and census health context: every school within 4 km with phase, grade and distance, and the nearest GP, pharmacy and health services by name

    • Every school within 4 km
    • Phase, grade and distance
    • Nearest GP by name
    • Nearest pharmacy and health services
    • Census health context

    Prints in: Area & lifestyle

  • Local Transport

    Stations and stops nearby, with distances.+3 checks

    Nearby rail stations and public transport stops with distances, where the source has records: stations with mode and lines, every stop within 800 m by type, and the nearest bus stop

    • Stations with mode and lines
    • Every stop within 800 m by type
    • The nearest bus stop

    Prints in: Area & lifestyle

  • Demographics

    Who lives here, and how the area ranks on deprivation.+6 checks

    Neighbourhood deprivation and available census data, with different sources for each nation: the decile and rank of the small area with domains where published, residents and households, every census category with count and share including household tenure, and the statistical type of area with its pen portraits

    • Deprivation decile and rank
    • Domains where published
    • Residents and households
    • Every census category with count and share
    • Household tenure
    • Type of area with its pen portraits

    Prints in: Area & lifestyle

  • Planning & Heritage

    Designations, listed buildings and what shapes change nearby.+10 checks

    Published planning designations, conservation areas, listed buildings and major projects; local publication varies. Included: every listed building and conservation area within 700 m with grade and distance, green belt, National Landscape, national park, scheduled monuments, tree preservation orders, Article 4 directions, the local plan's status and every brownfield-register entry nearby

    • Listed buildings within 700 m
    • Conservation areas within 700 m
    • Green belt
    • National Landscape and national park
    • Scheduled monuments
    • Tree preservation orders
    • Article 4 directions
    • The local plan's status
    • Brownfield-register entries nearby
    • Major projects

    Prints in: The home & energy

  • Lifestyle & Amenities

    Walkability, everyday amenities and food hygiene ratings.+4 checks

    Nearby mapped amenities, walkability context and food hygiene ratings where records are available: a walkability score out of 100, every everyday category counted with its nearest distance, and every rated food business within about a mile with type, rating and inspection date

    • Walkability score out of 100
    • Every everyday category counted
    • Nearest distance for each category
    • Rated food businesses within about a mile

    Prints in: Area & lifestyle

  • Rental & Market Context

    Indicative rental yield and local price trends.+4 checks

    Indicative gross rental yield from area rents and price data, plus local house-price trends where available: the yield, the typical monthly rent and the value it was measured against, labelled as an area estimate

    • Indicative gross rental yield
    • Typical monthly rent
    • The value it was measured against
    • Local house-price trends

    Prints in: Value & market

  • Contaminated Land & Permits

    Former landfill, permits, discharges and incidents nearby.+6 checks

    Every former landfill within 1 km measured to its boundary with its years in use, every permitted landfill within 2 km, substantiated pollution incidents, and all permits and discharges within 1 km de-duplicated by site, with the statutory register named as not read and how to get it

    • Former landfill within 1 km, to its boundary
    • Years each landfill was in use
    • Permitted landfill within 2 km
    • Substantiated pollution incidents
    • Permits and discharges within 1 km
    • The statutory register and how to get it

    Prints in: Safety & environment

  • Council Tax & Tenure

    What every band costs, the neighbours' bands and tenure.+7 checks

    The Band D charge for the local authority this year, what every band costs per year and per month, the band mix of the neighbours, the tenure at the last recorded sale and across the street, published tribunal decisions at the postcode, and the lease-pack checklist

    • Band D charge this year
    • Every band per year and per month
    • The neighbours' band mix
    • Tenure at the last recorded sale
    • Tenure across the street
    • Tribunal decisions at the postcode
    • The lease-pack checklist

    Prints in: Value & market

  • Findings for This Address

    Written for this address from registers that software cannot read.+4 checks

    A section written for this address from the registers that publish to people but not to software (each finding names the register consulted, where and when), plus dated corporate ownership and building records with their match basis

    • Findings from registers with no software feed
    • The register, place and date for each finding
    • Dated corporate ownership records
    • Building records with their match basis

    Prints in: Written for the address

  • Verdict, Surveyor Questions & Checklist

    The IQ Score, every flag explained, and your next steps.+5 checks

    The IQ Score with every factor's sub-score and the finding behind it, every red and amber flag explained, a numbered brief of questions for your surveyor built from what the address flagged, your before-you-offer checklist, and an appendix of every register asked and whether it answered

    • IQ Score with every factor's sub-score
    • Every red and amber flag explained
    • A numbered brief for your surveyor
    • Your before-you-offer checklist
    • Every register asked, and whether it answered

    Prints in: The verdict

How HouseCheckup works

From search to full report in three simple steps.

  1. England, Wales & Scotland

    Search any address

    Enter an address in England, Wales and Scotland. Coverage varies by nation and source.

  2. Before you pay

    See the IQ Score

    See an initial area risk screen where enough data is available, with the checks and coverage behind the score.

  3. Emailed within 24 hours

    Get the full report

    Choose Lite (£9.99) or Complete (£24.99). The report is emailed to you within 24 hours, usually faster, with every source named and any check it could not run stated.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiff

What is the average property price in Cardiff 2026?
According to the ONS UK House Price Index, the average house price in Cardiff was £268,000 in January 2026 (broadly flat on January 2025), making Cardiff the third most expensive area in Wales. Cardiff prices remain noticeably below comparable English cities like Bristol (£347,000) and London (£526,000). For an address-level price check on any Cardiff postcode, run a £24.99 HouseCheckup report.
Is Cardiff a good place to live?
Cardiff is the capital of Wales and ONS labour-market data shows it sustains the strongest jobs market in Wales, supported by Welsh Government, BBC Cymru, and a growing financial-services cluster around Central Square. Estyn inspections rate many Cardiff state schools highly, particularly in CF14 Whitchurch and CF23 Cyncoed. Three universities (Cardiff, Cardiff Met, USW Cardiff) drive a young population. For commuter alternatives, see /research/best-places-for-families-uk.
Is Cardiff safe?
Police.UK and South Wales Police data place Cardiff at roughly the average crime rate for a UK capital city. Residential suburbs CF14 Whitchurch, CF23 Lisvane, CF23 Cyncoed, and CF15 Radyr record consistently low crime rates and remain popular with families. Most reported city-centre crime concentrates in the St Mary Street and Mill Lane night-time economy. For a wider safety comparison, see /blog/safest-places-to-live-uk-2026.
What are the best schools in Cardiff?
Cardiff state schools are inspected by Estyn (Welsh schools inspectorate) rather than Ofsted, and the city offers both English-medium and Welsh-medium provision. The strongest catchments cluster in CF14 Whitchurch and CF23 Cyncoed, particularly around Cardiff High School. Independent options include Howell's School and the Cathedral School. Catchment-driven price premiums are clear; see /blog/school-catchment-areas-property-prices.
What is the flood risk in Cardiff?
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) flood maps put parts of Cardiff Bay, the River Taff corridor through CF11 Grangetown and CF11 Riverside, and parts of the River Ely catchment in elevated flood zones. The Cardiff Bay Barrage protects parts of the bay from tidal flooding. Always check the NRW flood map at the address level before exchange. Cardiff sits in Wales, not England, so flood data is held by NRW rather than the Environment Agency. See /blog/flood-risk-zones-explained for background.
Is Cardiff good for first-time buyers?
Land Transaction Tax (LTT, Wales' stamp-duty equivalent) is administered by the Welsh Revenue Authority and gives Cardiff first-time buyers a £225,000 nil-rate threshold (no separate first-time-buyer relief in Wales). At the ONS Cardiff average of £268,000, most buyers will pay LTT on a portion. Postcodes CF24 Splott, CF11 Grangetown, and CF5 Caerau routinely contain entry-level terraces below £180,000. For a complete plan, read /blog/first-time-buyer-checklist-2026.
How much does it cost to rent in Cardiff?
Cardiff is the most expensive Welsh city for renters, though rents remain below comparable English regional capitals. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 reshaped Welsh tenancy law in late 2022. ONS Private Rent data shows Welsh annual rent inflation tracking broadly in line with the UK rate of 3.4% in early 2026. Three-university student demand sustains strong yields in CF24 Cathays and CF10 city-centre. For yield analysis, see /blog/best-buy-to-let-areas-2026.
What is public transport like in Cardiff?
Cardiff Central is the busiest railway station in Wales, with Great Western Railway services to London Paddington in just under two hours. The South Wales Metro programme is upgrading Valley Lines services to tram-train operation under Transport for Wales. Cardiff Bus and Stagecoach run the local network, and Cardiff Airport at Rhoose serves European destinations. Run a £24.99 HouseCheckup report for connectivity scores at any Cardiff postcode.

Still have a question? We typically respond within 24 hours.

Ready to check a property?

Enter the address you are thinking of buying. See the available area risk data, then choose an emailed report for the property.

Type the full address with its postcode to go straight to your report options. Try .

Reports from £9.99, one-off. Compare Lite and Complete

Cancel for a full refund at any time before your report is emailed. Terms

At a glance

  • One-off

    No subscription

    Pay once for each report you buy.

  • Named

    Sources & coverage

    Every report names its sources and the checks it could not run.

  • GB

    England, Wales & Scotland

    Coverage varies by nation and source, and is stated.

  • £9.99

    Reports from

    Lite £9.99, Complete £24.99.