Belfast Cost of Living: Expenses You Need to Know

On our global list, Belfast is placed 2674th out of 9294, 87th out of 277 in the United Kingdom, and 2nd out of 6 in Northern Ireland. The average cost of living in Belfast is GBP 741 (excluding the housing rent), placing Belfast among the top 29% of the world’s most expensive cities. The median salary after taxes is GBP 2,063, which is sufficient to pay for 1.5 months’ worth of living expenditures.

It the 38th greatest city to live in the United Kingdom, and the first most liveable city in Northern Ireland, are both ranked 272nd (TOP 3%) on the list of the best places to live in the world. The 13th largest city in the UK is Belfast, which has a population estimate of 334 K. However, it has its own set of expenses, for more information about the Cost of Living in Belfast read this article. 

Cost of Living Categories	Approx Cost
Cost of Living with rent (for an individual)	GBP 1650
Rent	GBP 662.50 to GBP 912.50
Utilities	GBP 126.36
Transport (monthly pass)	GBP 57.50
Monthly salary after tax	GBP 2,063.56

Cost of Living Belfast Overview 

Cost of living in Belfast is roughly around 37% less than cost of living in London. Without factoring in rent, a single person will need to budget about GBP 741 per month to cover living expenditures in Belfast.

Understanding the cost of living in Belfast is crucial so you can manage your budget accordingly before moving here. In the blog below, we have explored the various categories of the cost of living in Belfast. It will help you make decisions accordingly if you consider relocating to this fantastic city. Without further delay, let’s begin our discussion.

Also read: Cost of Living in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide on Wales’s Expense

Cost of Food in Belfast’s Restaurants

In Belfast, you should budget at least GBP 200 per month for food, also, it can vary depending on your choice. Restaurant food costs depend on various factors, such as the type of restaurant you prefer to dine out, location, and cuisine an individual prefers in Belfast.

Generally, dining out at nearby restaurants in Belfast can be more expensive than cooking at home. For your reference, in the table below, we have given the list of the average restaurant food costs along with the groceries in Belfast:

Items	Approx Cost
Basic lunchtime menu at Inexpensive Restaurant	GBP 19
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	GBP 8
1 litre (1 qt.) of whole-fat milk	GBP 1.35
12 eggs, regular	GBP 2.74
Bread 500 g	GBP 1.35
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes	GBP 1.43
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese	GBP 5.29
Apples (1 kg)	GBP 2.27
Banana (1 kg)	GBP 1.25

Cost of Housing in Belfast

Compared to GBP 2,000 in London, you can anticipate paying between GBP 662 and GBP 1,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in the Belfast. Rent in Belfast typically costs roughly GBP 1,316 per month for a three-bedroom flat. The majority of homes in Northern Ireland are equipped.

We’ve provided some information about the average renting cost in Belfast below to help you out. Please have a look the average renting apartments in the city and outside the city centre below:

Items	Approx costs
Monthly rent for three bed room apartments (city center)	GBP 1,316
Monthly rent for one bed room apartment (city centre)	GBP 912

Cost of Utilities in Belfast

It is also important to consider the cost of utilities in Belfast along with the cost of living in Belfast. The utility cost includes things like electricity, water, gas, and heating. Understanding these utility costs and bills in Belfast can help you better plan and manage your expenses.

For your reference, in the table below, we have given the utility costs in Belfast are provided for your convenience:

Utility Type	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage)	GBP 126.36
Internet (60 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly)	GBP 31.17
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	GBP 11.11

Cost of Transportation in Belfast

The transportation cost in Belfast is a little bit expensive. You should budget around GBP 61 per month for public transport, also you can travel by metro around Belfast. The average monthly cost of local transportation might affect your cost of living in Belfast’s budget.Check out the table below for costs related to the local transport system across the Belfast city:

Items	Approx Cost
1 litre (1/4 gallon) of gas	GBP 1.61
Monthly ticket public transport	GBP 61
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	GBP 4
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles)	GBP 12

Cost of Clothes in Belfast

The cost of clothing in Belfast can be impacted by various factors, such as shopping habits, seasonal clothes, and the quality an individual prefers in clothes. The clothing budget is also a significant part of the cost of living in Belfast.

For your reference, we have given the average cost of clothes like jeans, shoes and summer dresses. Check out the table below to keep an idea about the costs of clothing across Belfast City:

Items	Approx Cost
1 pair of Sports shoes	GBP 63
1 summer dress in a high street store	GBP 40
1 pair of Sport shoes	GBP 76
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes	GBP 63

Also read: Cost of Living in Chelmsford: Is it Expensive to Live in Chelmsford, UK?

Cost of Personal Care Items in Belfast

When it comes to personal care items, Belfast offers a wide range of options to suit every budget and preference. From skincare essentials to grooming products, medicines, toothpaste and others, here’s an overview of the cost of personal care items in Belfast:

Items	Approx Cost
Cold medicine for 6 days	GBP 3.38
1 box of antibiotics	GBP 7
1 box of 32 tampons	GBP 2.80
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml)	GBP 2.63
Tube of toothpaste	GBP 1.47
4 rolls of toilet paper	GBP 2.11

Cost of Entertainment in Belfast

The expenses of entertainment is depends from person to person also the main factor is the way of living, how much you spent on your entertainment apart from your daily expenses, but you can manage your entertainment expenses for months for GBP 100. Below we have given an overview of cost of entertainment in Belfast.

Items	Average Cost
1 cocktail drink in the downtown club	GBP 40
2 tickets to the movies	GBP 18
1 month of gym membership in the business district	GBP 87
Basic dinner out for two in a neighbourhood pub	GBP 9
1 month of gym membership in business district	GBP 24
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes	GBP 12

Tuition Fee to Study in Belfast 

Tuition fee in Belfast depends on the course type but the average fees for full-time undergraduate degrees will be GBP 4,710 for students who typically reside in Northern Ireland. For full-time undergraduate studies, students whose primary residence is in England, Scotland, or Wales will pay tuition fees of GBP 9,250 annually.

Understanding tuition fees along with the costs of living in Belfast is crucial for planning your education expenses. Below we have given an overview of average tuition fees in Belfast.

Course Level	Average Fee
Graduate	GBP 18,258
Postgraduate	GBP 19,100

Why Study in Belfast?

There are several reasons to study in Belfast, as Belfast has long been a popular choice for students from the UK, Ireland and around the world. Here are a few reasons mentioned below why Belfast is best for study: 

• There are a lot of international students here, and it’s quite reasonable. Living expenses in Belfast are comparable to those in other UK cities. Whether or not you live on campus and how long you want to stay in Belfast will affect your living expenses.
• Belfast has state-of-the-art research facilities and first-rate athletic facilities, making it well-suited to support academic life and student development. 
• There are many outstanding student facilities available for you to use during your studies, including many study rooms, well-stocked libraries, and other amenities.

Things to Consider When You Move to Belfast 

It would be wise to think about moving to Belfast, Northern Ireland’s main city if you are considering relocating there. Along with the average cost of living in Belfast. So that you can better plan your journey in Belfast for the amazing change, here are some key points to think about before moving to Belfast city:

• Safety in Belfast: Most cities are less secure than Belfast. Be cautious as you normally would in any city. Belfast is gradually becoming considerably more cosmopolitan and is accustomed to having large numbers of visitors from all over the world, including the South (Republic of Ireland) and England.
• Diversity in Belfast: Northern Ireland residents are known for being sociable, so whether you’re making friends at university or just mingling with the locals, you should have no trouble doing so.
• Job Opportunities in Belfast: Belfast is a city with many chances for employment and higher learning. This city is ideal for families, students, and professionals because it is one of the safest in the UK. In addition, Belfast has a reasonable cost of living.
• Climate in Belfast: The hottest month in Belfast is July, with an average temperature of 15°C (59°F), while the coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 4°C (39°F), with 6 hours per day of sunshine in June. October is the wettest month, with an average rainfall of 90mm.
• Transportation in Belfast: The primary transportation is the bus service in Belfast,  and the Metro covers the entire city.  in the major cities and towns around Northern Ireland, you can travel around Belfast. 

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FAQs 

So, this was all about the cost of living in Belfast. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.