Cost of Living in Belfast: Updated Prices, Other Cities Comparison

If you’re considering moving to Belfast for higher studies, understanding the cost of living in Belfast is crucial. Being the capital of Northern Ireland, it is a vibrant city known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and welcoming atmosphere. It has become an increasingly popular destination for students, professionals, and tourists alike. But what is the cost of living in Belfast for international students?

It is the 38th greatest city to live in the United Kingdom, and the first most liveable city in Northern Ireland. 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.

Cost of Living Belfast Overview 

The average cost of living in Belfast for a single person is GBP 749 (excluding the housing rent), placing Belfast among the top 29% of the world’s most expensive cities. However, if we break down the living expenses, the rent for a one-room apartment ranges from GBP 700 to GBP 950 per month. Food expenses are about GBP 417 per month, and transportation costs are around GBP 101 per month.

The cost of living in Belfast is roughly around 37% less than the cost of living in London. Understanding the cost of living in Belfast per month is crucial so you can manage your budget accordingly before moving here. Below we have given an overview of the cost of living in Belfast Ireland.

Cost of Living Categories	Approx Cost
Cost of Living	GBP 749
Rent	GBP 700 to GBP 950
Utilities	GBP 134
Transport (monthly pass)	GBP 60
Monthly salary after tax	GBP 2,207

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

Cost of Dining in Belfast

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. Eating out regularly can affect the student budget and the overall cost of living in Belfast Northern Ireland. For your reference, in the table below, we have given the list of the average restaurant food costs along with the groceries in Belfast:

Food Items	Approx Cost
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	GBP18.35
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	GBP75
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	GBP7
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)	GBP5.5
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)	GBP5
Cappuccino (regular)	GBP3.36
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	GBP1.1
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	GBP1.35
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	GBP1.36
Rice (white), (1kg)	GBP1.73
Eggs (regular) (12)	GBP2.74
Local Cheese (1kg)	GBP5.93
Apples (1kg)	GBP1.85
Banana (1kg)	GBP1.35
Oranges (1kg)	GBP1.7
Tomato (1kg)	GBP2.4
Potato (1kg)	GBP1.22
Onion (1kg)	GBP0.88
Lettuce (1 head)	GBP0.95

Cost of Housing Rent in Belfast

Before moving to Belfast, it is essential to thoroughly research and compare apartment rents in different areas to ensure they meet your requirements and budget. You can anticipate paying between GBP 700 and GBP 950 for a one-bedroom apartment in Belfast. Rent for a three-bedroom flat in Belfast typically costs around GBP 1000 to GBP 2000 per month.

The cost of housing rent in Belfast covers the major portion of the cost of living in Belfast. That’s why we’ve provided some information about the average renting cost in Belfast below to help you out. Please have a look at the average renting apartments in the city and outside the city centre below:

Apartment Type	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
1 bedroom	in the City Centre	GBP 916
3 bedrooms	in the City Centre	GBP 1,350
1 bedroom	Outside of Centre	GBP 703
3 bedrooms	Outside of Centre	GBP 1,087

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.

Utility services in Belfast encompass essential amenities that contribute to residents’ quality of life. 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 133.99
Internet (60 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly)	GBP 32
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	GBP 12.67

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 Belfast City:

Items	Approx Cost
1 litre (1/4 gallon) of gas	GBP 1.49
Monthly ticket public transport	GBP 60
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	GBP 4
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles)	GBP 19.1

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, Ireland.

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 depend from person to person also the main factor is the way of living, how much you spend on your entertainment apart from your daily expenses. This cost is another expenses that belong to the average cost of living in Belfast and you can manage your entertainment expenses for months for GBP 100. Below we have given an overview of the 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
A basic dinner out for two in a neighbourhood pub	GBP 24
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes	GBP 12

Tuition Fee to Study in Belfast 

Tuition fee in universities in Belfast depends on the course type but the average fee for full-time undergraduate degrees is around 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 for graduate and undergraduate courses. Please have a look.

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

Cost of Living in Belfast Compared to Other Cities

When comparing the cost of living in Belfast to that of nearby cities, you’ll observe certain differences. To provide clarity, we’ve outlined the monthly living expenses in Belfast in contrast to cities such as Manchester, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Ireland and Dublin, excluding rent. The table below highlights the affordability of Belfast, illustrating its impact on your overall expenses.

Cost of living city-wise	Approx Costs (Without rent)	Comparison Cost of Living in Belfast
Cost of Living in London	GBP 1,102	Higher than Belfast
Cost of Living in Manchester	GBP 851	Higher than Belfast
Cost of Living in Glasgow	GBP 836	Higher than Belfast
Cost of Living in Birmingham	GBP 761	Higher than Belfast
Cost of Living in Dublin	GBP 925	Higher than Belfast
Cost of Living in Edinburgh	GBP 896	Higher than Belfast
Cost of living in Ireland	GBP 987	Higher than Belfast

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.
• Salary in Belfast: The median salary after taxes is GBP 2,063, which is sufficient to pay for 1.5 months’ worth of living expenditures.
• The 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 on Cost of Living in Belfast

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.