What Is Living In Swansea Like? A Guide To Swansea
Last Updated November 2022
Swansea is a coastal city in Wales, the Swansea county contains Swansea Bay and the Gower Peninsula. Swansea sits within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan and the ancient Welsh commote of Gŵyr. It is the second largest city in Wales and within the UK is the 25th biggest city.
In this guide, we’ll go over everything you’ll ever need to know about living in Swansea!
Is Swansea a nice place to live?
Swansea is becoming one of the most popular places to live within the UK and is seen as a nice place to live. They are seeing major development within the city centre with many projects in progress or being planned. They are developing a city park in the Kingsway area with public areas, improved pedestrian walkways, new cycle routes and the creation of green areas enriched by the planting of around 200 trees.
Within the coastal area of Swansea there is a renovation project taking place, they are updating the pavilion, new flats are being built and there is a new coastal boardwalk being installed that extends out into the water. The government and private sector seem to be funnelling money into Swansea, which means it’s an up and coming place to live.
What is the population of Swansea?
The population of Swansea currently stands at 238,500 this is the second highest population of the 22 Welsh local authorities. 8% of the total Welsh population live in Swansea. Roughly 22% of the population of Swansea are under 20 years old, and around 21% are aged 65 year and older.
Alternatively, why not live somewhere a little smaller and with a smaller population, like Merthyr Tydfil with a population of 58,800. Why not read our Merthyr Tydfil area guide to find out more?
Is Swansea a safe place to live?
The Swansea crime rate is an average of 82 crimes per 1,000 people. Violent crimes make up roughly 28.9% of all crimes committed in Swansea, with the total number of violent crimes being 6,292 offences during 2021, this is 10% higher than 2020’s figure of 5,742 offences.
What is the average house price in Swansea?
The average house cost over the past year for Swansea is around £213,973. Alternatively, look for other places with similar house price averages like Cardiff with a house average of £286,349, read through our Cardiff area guide to find out more.
The following shows the average property cost in Swansea:
House Pricing by Property Type
Detached- £342,479
Semi-detached- £190,211
Terraced-£154,877
Flats- £157,093
Renting in Swansea
The following shows how much a rental property costs in Swansea:
Room – £1,041
Flat – £943
House – £1,609
Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (PCM):
1 bed – £729
2 beds – £941
3 beds – £1,085
4 beds – £1,526
Landmarks and History in Swansea
Mumbles
Mumbles is a lively seaside village with over 120 shops, restaurants and pubs, located on the west side of Swansea bay. You’ll want to visit here if you love sea food, as the restaurants make use of the fresh local produce, which also makes its way to London to be served in the finest seafood restaurants in the capital. You can also experience the Mumbles Oyster Festival which is hosted every year in the village, and attracts lots of foodies.
National Waterfront Museum
This impressive national landmark that houses the National Waterfront Museum is worth the trip itself. However, you will also enjoy the museum that showcases the industrial and maritime history of Wales. The exhibitions date back to the 1800s and are highly interactive, you can learn about the age when Wales was a major world supplier of coal and steel. Richard Trevithicks famous steam locomotive takes pride of place and is pretty spectacular.
Eating and Drink in Swansea
Brewstone
This lively, hip bar/restaurant has fabulous décor and a great atmosphere. Known for its extensive craft beer list, it also offers cocktails and a wealth of other drinks. They specialised in wood fired, handmade pizzas that they pair with the cocktails for a memorable experience.
Castellamare
Overlooking the stunning Bracelet Bay, this place offers authentic Italian cuisine. You can find daily specials as well as fish, steak and pasta. You can enjoy this modern café bar while taking in the beautiful views of the lighthouse.
The Beach House
According to TripAdvisor, this is the second-best restaurant in all of Swansea, so expect some fine dining. The Beach House is spacious, sleek and modern, but also makes you feel right at home with its friendly team and menu full of local produce. You can enjoy beautiful views of the beach while tasting the exquisite menu.
Shopping in Swansea
Swansea is known as a great place for shopping and is actually considered the regional retail centre for South West Wales. You’ll find a large selection of high street shops and a number of independent retailers. There is also the Quadrant Shopping Centre to have a look around, which can link you to Swansea Market. There are also some traditional arcades for you to enjoy and explore.
Where to Stay in Swansea
The Dragon Hotel
This hotel is located in the city centre and is only 15 minutes away from Rhossili Bay, which is one of the best beaches in the world. They offer 24-hour room service and tea and coffee making facilities. You can enjoy a nice breakfast, chose from a continental or full cooked breakfast and relax and eat in the lounge area. The rooms are spacious with a fun, colourful décor.
The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is right in the heart of the city and it right next door to the train station and is within walking distance of many of Swansea’s best attractions. This landmark hotel opened in 1930 and has maintained its 3 stars since then. There is a large, comfortable lounge area and informal dining in the Bistro Bar and you can catch up with the football in the Sports Bar. The bedrooms are large and feature digital televisions, power showers and air conditioning and there is free Wi-Fi available.
Towers Hotel & Spa
This hotel sits about 10 mins out of the city centre and offers a swimming pool and gym. There is free onsite parking and Wi-Fi. The leisure facilities extend to a sauna, steam room and spa bath and you can pay for massages and beauty treatments. All the rooms are en-suite and air conditioned as well as all TVs having Sky. There is an on-site restaurant that serves European and traditional Welsh food. You can also enjoy a full Welsh breakfast included in the price of the room.
Top 10 Things to do in Swansea
- Gower Peninsula
- Three Cliffs Bay
- Oxwich Bay
- Mumbles Hill Local Nature Reserve
- Mumbles Pier
- Caswell Bay
- Llangennith Beach
- Penllergare Valley Woods
- Clyne Gardens
- Langland Bay
Need a Locksmith in Swansea?
When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Swansea Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek® Locksmiths Swansea provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!
There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! If you’re considering improving the security of your home further still, checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!
View our Keytek® Locksmiths Swansea page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01792 342 865!
Jessica Davies
Jessica brings over six years of specialised expertise to Keytek's comprehensive UK location guides, combining meticulous research with genuine local insight. As the architect behind Keytek’s area profiles, she delivers essential intelligence on house prices, crime statistics, schools, and community character—everything you need to know about the city or town. Armed with a photography degree from the University of Brighton and an exhibited portfolio, Jessica approaches each location asking, "What would it be like to live here?" This perspective transforms dry statistics into lived experience, revealing not just what places cost, but what they truly offer. Since 2019, Jessica has partnered with Keytek®'s security professionals, weaving real-world safety expertise into every guide. Her work addresses practical realities: Is this neighbourhood genuinely safe? What security considerations matter? How does local infrastructure support daily life? From bustling cities to quiet villages, Jessica's field research uncovers authentic local character. Her commitment to accuracy and on-the-ground investigation has established her as a trusted voice—helping people navigate different locations across the UK and home security with complete confidence.