Single person, Wales
£20k
minimum gross salary needed to cover typical monthly costs
What salary do you need?
Assumes 5% salary sacrifice. For a different rate use our salary calculator.
Monthly costs
Minimum gross salary needed
£19,500
per year to take home £1,459/month
See if your salary covers your costs
Based on 2026/27 tax rates, standard 1257L tax code, England rates. Regional cost figures are estimates. Your actual costs may vary.
What salary do I need to live in Wales in 2026?
Wales is one of the most affordable nations in the UK. Cardiff is the capital and main economic hub, with costs somewhat above the Welsh average, while the rest of Wales, including Swansea, Newport, Wrexham and the rural counties, tends to be very affordable. A single person in Wales typically needs a gross salary of around £19,500 to £21,000 to cover basic monthly costs.
Cardiff has grown as a centre for professional and financial services, public sector employment, media and technology. BBC Wales and a growing digital sector have brought higher-value employment to the capital. Welsh Government, the Senedd and associated public sector bodies are also major employers. Outside Cardiff, the economy is more mixed with significant public sector, manufacturing and tourism employment at generally lower wage levels.
Wales sets its own income tax rates but for most bands these are currently aligned with England and Wales rates, so the gross salary figures in the tool above are applicable. Council tax structures and rates vary by local authority, and the figures in the defaults are regional averages. Use the tool to adjust for your specific local authority area.
Frequently asked questions
What salary do I need to live in Cardiff?
A single person living alone in Cardiff typically needs a gross salary of around £21,000 to £24,000 to cover monthly costs. One-bedroom flat rents in Cardiff typically range from £850 to £1,100 per month. Cardiff is more affordable than most major English cities of comparable size, making it a popular choice for graduates and young professionals seeking an urban lifestyle without London-level costs.
Is Wales cheap to live in?
Yes, Wales is one of the most affordable parts of the UK. Average monthly costs for a single person come to around £1,460, requiring a gross salary of approximately £19,500 to £21,000 to break even. Rural Wales in particular offers very low housing costs, with some areas having average rents well below £700 per month for a one-bedroom property. Wales is consistently ranked among the most affordable parts of the UK for cost of living.
What is a good salary in Wales?
In Wales, a salary of £28,000 to £35,000 provides a comfortable standard of living for a single person, with money left for savings and discretionary spending. The Welsh median full-time salary is approximately £34,000, slightly below the UK average. A salary of £40,000 or above is considered very good in Wales and would place you among the top earners in the country.