Cost of Living in Belfast, United Kingdom

Updated On December 29, 2025
Cost of Living Index:
62.42
* Based on Research & User Data

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Belfast?

No matter if you decide to live in the city center or suburbs, you will notice that rent prices in Belfast are lower than in London, which makes this city very attractive and affordable.

The United Kingdom, in general, is a stunning country, rich in history and culture, so people eager to live there can definitely think about Belfast as an ideal place of future residence.

Once you come there, you will find out whether the cost of living is in line with your current budget, but it is good to know in advance the prices of basic expenses here.

Cost of Living Breakdown in Belfast

Restaurants

RESTAURANTS

The eating opportunities in Belfast are numerous and restaurants offer excellent quality food at affordable prices, especially if you pick a restaurant that is not in the center of the city.

The prices of alcohol are quite high, so do not get surprised to pay more than $5 for a bottle of beer.

Average Restaurant Prices
Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) $15.48
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) $5.16
Water (0.33 Liter) $1.23
Markets

MARKETS

Besides dining out, people choose to cook the meals at home, and that way they manage to save a lot.

Actually, it is suggested buying domestic products and discounted groceries as they are more affordable than imported foodstuff.

However, how much you will spend highly depends on your eating habits.

Average Market Prices
Milk (1 Liter) $1.18
Loaf Bread (500g) $1.36
Eggs (12) $2.18
Transportation

TRANSPORTATION

Belfast is well supplied with various vehicles and the public transport that can take you throughout the city is very efficient and more affordable than in London and Bath.

Other way of commuting is driving, but the price of gasoline is not considered inexpensive.

Average Transport Prices
One Way Ticket $2.58
Monthly Pass $72.26
Gasoline $1.61
Utilities

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

Usually, service prices are not included in the rent, and they represent an additional cost in Belfast.

How much you will need to devote to gas, electricity, and water per month depends on whether you live alone or with a family and how much you spend during that period of time.

Average Utilities Prices
Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) $104.69
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local $0.07
Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) $38.07
Sports and leisure

SPORTS & LEISURE

One of the best ways to spend a leisure time in Belfast is either doing some sports or watching a movie.

All means of entertainment are rather affordable here and that is the reason why its residents spend almost 5% of the monthly budget on it.

Average Leisure Prices
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult $31.60
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) $12.35
Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release $8.39
Clothing and shoes

CLOTHING & SHOES

Everything is less expensive in Belfast than in London, and the same situation is with designer clothing.

You can find a huge offer here in Belfast as there are numerous stores in the city center.

However, very little money is spent on branded apparel here.

Average Clothing Prices
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) $67.10
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) $40.07
1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) $76.92
Rent per month

RENT PER MONTH

The average rent that you will pay in Belfast varies depending on where you choose live.

If you do not mind commuting to your work, choosing an apartment out of the city will cost you pretty less and will allow you to put aside some money which can be used for something else.

Average Rent Prices
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center $815.26
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center $556.14
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center $1241.96

How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Belfast?

There are many forms of entertainment to enjoy in this diverse city and these expenses should also be included in your monthly spendings, as leisure time is necessary after a long day at work.

If you want to save some money, but still enjoy eating out, you should visit inexpensive restaurants as they are cheaper places to eat.

It is interesting to notice that the restaurant prices are not low, but almost 18% of the monthly budget is spent there.

Average Costs Breakdown

17.9%
30.3%
13.1%
5%
4.8%
2.8%
26%

Belfast: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

Getting informed about the possible living costs in Belfast is very important as that estimate should at least help you organize your budget throughout the month and enables you to determine how much money would be necessary for you to lead a decent life there.

If you happen to be able to negotiate your salary with the employer, you should not accept anything below the average, as that amount is estimated to be enough to cover the basic expenses.

The minimum salary is acceptable only for those who possess their property here.

Average Salary$1913.63
Minimum Wage$1659.2
Mortgage Interest Rate3.63%

Belfast Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Belfast Safety Review

Safety Index:
65
OVERALL RISKMEDIUM
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISKLOW
PICKPOCKETS RISKHIGH
NATURAL DISASTERS RISKLOW
MUGGING RISKLOW
TERRORISM RISKMEDIUM
SCAMS RISKHIGH
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISKMEDIUM
TAP WATER RISKMEDIUM

Cost of Living by City in United Kingdom

City Cost of Living Index
United Kingdom FlagAberdeen 73.02
United Kingdom FlagBath 74.48
United Kingdom FlagBirmingham 64.46
United Kingdom FlagBrighton 69.54
United Kingdom FlagBristol 69.58
United Kingdom FlagCambridge 72.6
United Kingdom FlagCardiff 62.12
United Kingdom FlagCoventry 66.31
United Kingdom FlagDerby 61.5
United Kingdom FlagEdinburgh 61.5
United Kingdom FlagExeter 66.56
United Kingdom FlagGlasgow 66.5
United Kingdom FlagLeeds 68.26
United Kingdom FlagLeicester 65.59
United Kingdom FlagLiverpool 62
United Kingdom FlagLondon 81.31
United Kingdom FlagManchester 69.86
United Kingdom FlagMilton Keynes 78.5
United Kingdom FlagNewcastle upon Tyne 62.76
United Kingdom FlagNorwich 64.95
United Kingdom FlagNottingham 67.05
United Kingdom FlagOxford 72.6
United Kingdom FlagPeterborough 41.93
United Kingdom FlagPlymouth 70.02
United Kingdom FlagPortsmouth 71.04
United Kingdom FlagReading 76.73
United Kingdom FlagSheffield 62.64
United Kingdom FlagSouthampton 63.73
United Kingdom FlagSwindon 69.92
United Kingdom FlagYork 69.33

Where to Next?

Or, browse the country/city indexes:

Cost of Living - Country Index Cost of Living - City Index

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