If you’re property hunting in Wales, you may be checking out the property prices in Cardiff and Swansea. Are they different, or are they similar? Turns out there are a few main differences, which is why we’re here to talk you through them.
While the two Welsh cities are popular both with locals and tourists, the two cities vary not only in terms of price. Here at We Buy Any Home, we will talk you through the main differences between price, population, transport links and more in these two major Welsh cities to give you more insight into these popular areas.
Keep reading to learn more and determine how these two popular areas vary.
What are the Main Differences Between Cardiff and Swansea?
So, what are the main differences between Cardiff and Swansea? We’ve broken their differences into categories to help you better understand the pros and cons of these two areas.
Population
Let’s start with population. Cardiff is the larger of the two cities, with a population of 488,000, a 0.62% increase from 2022.
On the other hand, Swansea has a smaller population, with 316,000 people – a 0.64% increase from 2022.
Cardiff is a slightly bigger city than Swansea, perhaps explaining why the population is higher there as there are generally more houses in larger cities. Swansea is still considered a large city, however, being the second largest city in Wales after Cardiff.
Transport Links
Cardiff and Swansea have great transport links, as they are both easily accessible from other areas of Wales. However, they do differ slightly, with Cardiff having two railway stations in the heart of the capital, while Swansea has only one main train station. Again, this is likely because Cardiff is larger and therefore requires more transport links than Swansea.
Swansea and Cardiff both have good bus services in and out of the cities, and they are well connected to local motorways if you’re travelling into the cities by car.
Employment
Employment rates are similar in Cardiff and Swansea, with Swansea having slightly higher employment rates and lower unemployment rates.
The employment rate in Cardiff from October 2021-September 2022 is 73.3%, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%.
The employment rate is better in Swansea, with 78.6% of the population being economically active (same period as above), and an unemployment rate of just 3.3%.
This could be due to Cardiff having a higher population, as we’d expect to see a marginally higher unemployment rate with a larger number of citizens.
Safety
Crime rates differ quite significantly in Cardiff and Swansea, as displayed by the below figures.
Cardiff has a crime rate of 10,309 crimes per 100,000 people (10.3%), while Swansea has a slightly lower crime rate of 8,200 crimes per 100,000 people (8.2%).
This could be based on the fact that Cardiff is a larger, more built-up city with a higher population and wider variation of people, potentially leading to a higher number of crimes committed.
Education
Cardiff and Swansea are both university cities, offering a range of courses and disciplines promoting higher education.
Cardiff is home to Cardiff University, a top-five university for research excellence, as well as Cardiff Metropolitan University, the winner of the UK & Ireland University of the Year 2021.
Swansea also boasts two universities; Swansea University which was founded in 1920 and is the third largest university in Wales, as well as the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, the UK’s third-oldest university with a Royal Charter after Oxford University and Cambridge University.
Both Cardiff and Swansea are marvelled for their educational institutes and also offer a range of well-ranked primary and secondary schools for younger pupils.
How much do properties cost in Cardiff?
In terms of their property prices, Cardiff and Swansea have very different property prices. So let’s start with Cardiff.
Cardiff is the more expensive of the two Welsh cities, with an average property price of £293,509.
Property prices have increased over the last year by 16%, with most sales in Cardiff coming from terraced properties.
How Much Do Properties Cost in Swansea?
House prices in Swansea are significantly lower on average, with the average property price in Swansea being £198,868.
Property prices have increased by 4% yearly, and most property sales were for semi-detached properties.
Houses in Swansea are likely cheaper on average because Swansea is a smaller, less built-up city, resulting in lower house prices.
How can We Buy Any Home help?
If you own a house in Swansea or Cardiff and want to sell, check out We Buy Any Home. We are the most significant cash house buyer in the UK and have many years of experience helping property owners sell their Swansea and Cardiff properties for the best price in the shortest time.
We are incredibly transparent in our property-buying process and believe in being straightforward with our customers avoiding lengthy, litigious contracts designed to catch you out. Instead, we want to work in your best interests to ensure you have a great experience with We Buy Any Home.
Our process is simple; it starts with getting a free cash price for your property via our website. We’ll offer you a free cash offer within minutes, regardless of the property’s condition or location.
You’ll receive a call from one of our in-house experts within 24 hours, confirming your details and making you a cash offer. We’ll even instruct property surveyors to ensure the property’s condition at no cost to you to determine a final cash offer for your home.
If you’re happy with our final offer, we’ll move forward by providing you with a solicitor at no extra cost to you, and you’ll likely receive the funds from your property in as little as seven days!
To get moving with We Buy Any Home, simply get a free cash offer via our website today. Then, we’ll be in touch in no time to discuss your property – we can’t wait to get started!
