Wales · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Cardiff Council budget and spending
Cardiff Council had net current service expenditure of £1.1bn in 2024-25, about £2,950 for each of its 381,516 residents. By total budget it is 7th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £1.1bn
- Spend per resident
- £2,950
- 29th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 381,516
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 7th
- of 185 single-tier councils
This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.
Where Cardiff Council spends its money
- Total revenue expenditure£1.1bn
100.0% of the budget
Single-tier councils (unitary, metropolitan, London borough and Scottish and Welsh councils) run every local service in their area, so they are compared with each other.
Benefits spending in Cardiff
Across six benefits, £927.4m was paid out in Cardiff in the 12 months to March 2026, about £2,431 per resident. That is 81st highest of 315 areas per person and 23rd by total pounds, and 13.5% above the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£573.0m
- Personal Independence Payment£221.3m
- Housing Benefit£75.5m
- Disability Living Allowance£43.6m
- Employment and Support Allowance£30.2m
- Carer's Allowance£27.6m
Covers six benefits only: Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA. Excludes the State Pension, the largest welfare line. Compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance from DWP Stat-Xplore, not a DWP borough publication. England and Wales, £133.1 billion in the 12 months to March 2026. Do not add this to the council budget: Housing Benefit is in both.
Councils with similar spend per resident
Cardiff Council: common questions
How much does Cardiff Council spend?
Cardiff Council had net current service expenditure of £1.1bn in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Cardiff Council spend per resident?
About £2,950 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £1.1bn and an ONS population estimate of 381,516. That is 29th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Cardiff Council spend most on?
Total revenue expenditure is the largest service line at £1.1bn, 100.0% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Cardiff?
£927.4m was paid out in the 12 months to March 2026 on six benefits (Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA), about £2,431 per resident. That ranks 81st of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.