Cardiff is often highlighted as one of the UK’s more affordable cities to buy a home but affordability looks very different depending on where you buy and what type of property you’re searching for.
In this guide, we break down Cardiff’s most affordable areas, starting with average house prices overall before diving deeper into which wards offer the best value for different property types, from flats through to detached homes.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upsizing, or simply curious about Cardiff’s property landscape, this breakdown shows where your money can stretch the furthest.
Let's take a closer look...
Cardiff is one of the UK’s fastest‑growing cities outside of London. Between 2011 and 2021, the city’s population increased by about 4.7%, rising from roughly 346,100 to around 362,300 residents - a rate well above the overall growth seen across Wales as a whole.
So what’s driving this growth? Cardiff’s appeal comes from a blend of economic opportunity, lifestyle and culture. The city has seen job growth of over 20% in the past decade, especially in sectors like finance, tech, healthcare, and creative industries, while its status as a major retail and service hub attracts workers and businesses alike.
At the same time, Cardiff offers a strong quality of life with green spaces like Bute Park, respected cultural venues such as the Wales Millennium Centre, and sporting fixtures at the Principality Stadium - all paired with a lower cost of living and property prices compared with many other UK cities. It’s no surprise that surveys show Cardiff is the most popular relocation destination in Wales, with a significant share of movers coming from outside the country - including around 31% of UK movers from London.
What location has the overall most affordable property prices in Cardiff?
Splott
If you’re on the hunt for an affordable place to buy in Cardiff, Splott is definitely worth a look.
It’s the city’s cheapest ward overall,
Terraced houses around £132k,
Detached homes about £202k,
Semi-detached roughly £234k
Flats sitting around £215k
This gives Splott an average property price of £195,798.
But it’s not just about the price - Splott has a real community vibe, with a mix of classic Victorian and Edwardian houses, local shops, parks and cafés popping up thanks to some recent regeneration. It’s close to Cardiff Bay and the city centre, so you’re never far from the action, but it still feels like a proper neighbourhood. you get a good slice of city living without breaking the bank.
Splott has plenty of green spaces and local amenities, making it easy to get out for a walk, meet friends, or enjoy a weekend brunch. Transport links are good too, with regular bus routes into the city centre and easy access to main roads if you’re commuting. Splott manages to strike a rare balance: it’s budget-friendly, lively, and still genuinely feels like home.
What area has the most affordable semi-detached homes, in Cardiff?
Ely
If you’re on the lookout for a semi-detached home on a budget, Ely should definitely be on your radar.
Ely has the lowest average price for a semi-detached home in Cardiff, at around £207,000. This sits around £135,000 below the average price of a semi-detached property in Cardiff, making it a standout choice for first-time buyers, young families, or anyone hoping to step onto the property ladder without stretching too far financially.
Beyond the numbers, Ely has a genuine community feel. The streets are lined with a mix of older houses and modest newer builds, and the area is dotted with local shops, schools and green spaces that give it a relaxed, suburban vibe. Families appreciate the parks and playgrounds, while commuters enjoy the regular bus routes into the city centre and easy access to the main roads, if they’re heading further afield.
In recent years, Ely has seen gradual regeneration, with small cafés, community centres, and local facilities popping up, which has helped breathe new life into the area while keeping it affordable and accessible. It’s an area where you can enjoy space, convenience, and a sense of neighbourhood, without the price tag of more central wards.
For those looking for long-term value, Ely also has potential, with property prices still reasonable compared to other parts of Cardiff, buying a semi-detached here could be a smart move for both living and investment. In short, Ely offers a rare combination: budget-friendly semi-detached homes, a strong community vibe, and good access to the city.
Ely also has the the lowest average price for a flat in Cardiff, at around £109,000.
The average price for a flat within Cardiff is around £173,000 - a huge difference of around £64,000 between the average and the prices that are on offer within Ely.
What area has the most affordable detached homes, in Cardiff?
Adamstown
Adamsdown has the lowest average price for detached properties in the city, at around £216,583.
To put it into perspective - the average price for a detached property within Cardiff is £460,308, meaning that purchasing a home in Adamsdown could save you around £245,000 compared to other areas.
That makes it an attractive option for families looking to upgrade from a terrace or semi, or anyone wanting more space without the city-centre price tag.
Adamsdown has a lively and diverse community, with a mix of older Victorian and Edwardian houses, modest modern builds, and plenty of local shops, cafés, and amenities. The area is just a short walk or bus ride from the city centre, giving you easy access to Cardiff’s restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions, while still feeling like a true neighbourhood with streets to call your own.
The ward also benefits from green spaces like Tremorfa Park nearby, which are perfect for kids, dog walks, or a weekend stroll. Over the years, the area has seen gradual regeneration, with new community facilities, small businesses, and cafés helping to make Adamsdown feel fresh and welcoming, without pushing property prices too high.
For anyone looking for a detached home in Cardiff that won’t break the bank, Adamsdown offers a rare combination: affordability, space, a strong community vibe, and excellent access to the heart of the city. It’s a practical choice for families or buyers who want the detached lifestyle without stretching their budget.
What area has the most affordable terraced homes, in Cardiff?
Caerau
Caerau area offers the lowest average prices for terraced homes in the city, at around £190,000.
The average terraced property price within Cardiff sits around £287,000 - meaning that a move to Caerau could save you £97,000 on average, making it a strong option for first-time buyers or anyone wanting more space without jumping up to semi-detached prices.
Caerau has a quiet, residential feel, with rows of traditional terraces, local shops, schools and plenty of open space nearby. It’s particularly popular with families and long-term residents, which gives the area a strong sense of community. There are good bus links into the city centre, and easy access to main roads, making commuting fairly straightforward.
One of Caerau’s big draws is its proximity to green spaces, including countryside walks and parks on the western edge of Cardiff, ideal if you like having outdoor space on your doorstep. While it doesn’t have the buzz of more central areas, Caerau appeals to buyers who value space and value for money.
For those looking to get onto the property ladder or move into a house with more room to grow, Caerau’s terraced homes offer a practical and affordable route into Cardiff homeownership, with prices that still leave room in the budget for renovations or future plans.
Looking at the longer-term picture, Cardiff’s housing market has shown strong but steady growth. Since the mid-2000s, average property prices have risen by roughly 70–75%, reflecting sustained demand, population growth and ongoing regeneration across the city. More recently, growth has slowed, with annual price increases sitting close to 1–2%, and some property types - particularly flats - even seeing slight year-on-year dips. For buyers, this cooling has created a market that feels more stable and less frantic than in previous years.
First-time buyers continue to play a big role in Cardiff’s market, the availability of smaller homes, terraces and flats in more affordable locations such as Splott, Ely, Adamsdown, and Caerau remain so popular with those getting onto the ladder.
Cardiff’s population has increased steadily over the past decade, supported by job growth in sectors such as finance, tech, healthcare, education, and the creative industries. Combined with major cultural attractions, green space, and comparatively good value for money, the city continues to attract people from across Wales and the rest of the UK.
Taken together, the data paints a clear picture: Cardiff is no longer a “cheap” city in the way it once was, but it remains one of the most accessible capital cities to buy in. For buyers who are willing to look beyond averages and focus on specific wards and property types, there are still genuine opportunities to find value and that’s exactly where Cardiff’s most affordable areas really come into play.