Bristol vs Cardiff
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Bristol leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Cardiff where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Cardiff's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Bristol | Cardiff |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 69 | 70 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 46 | 47 |
| Climate | 97 | 98 |
| Safety | 68 | 68 |
| Summer °C | 16.8 | 17.2 |
| Winter °C | 4.7 | 5.1 |
| Top disaster risk | flooding | flooding |
Bristol vs Cardiff: the short answer
Cardiff comes out ahead on overall livability (70/100), only marginally above Bristol (69/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Cardiff is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Bristol 46 vs Cardiff 47, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Cardiff runs warmer in summer (about 17.2°C peak vs 16.8°C in Bristol), while winter lows sit near 4.7°C in Bristol and 5.1°C in Cardiff. On natural-disaster exposure Cardiff is the safer choice (safety 68/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for Bristol and flooding for Cardiff.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Cardiff — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Cardiff — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Cardiff — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Cardiff — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Bristol or Cardiff better to live in?
Cardiff scores higher overall — 70 vs 69 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Bristol or Cardiff?
Cardiff has the lower cost of living (cost index 47 vs 46; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Bristol or Cardiff?
Cardiff — summer highs reach about 17.2°C versus 16.8°C in Bristol.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Bristol or Cardiff?
Cardiff (disaster-safety 68/100). Main hazard: flooding in Bristol, flooding in Cardiff.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Bristol?
flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for Bristol on our risk index.
How is the Bristol vs Cardiff comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.