SoloSquareGuides Meet people in BelfastMeet people

City in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Cost of living in Belfast

Updated October 2026Sources

How much a month costs in Belfast

For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $2,780–3,970 (£2,100–3,000).

Lean$1,850–2,510£1,400–1,900 · Room or studio, local food
Comfortable$2,780–3,970£2,100–3,000 · 1-bed apartment, eating out daily
Luxury$5,020–7,930£3,800–6,000 · Upscale apartment, restaurants, taxis

Prices in Belfast

Typical 2026 ranges in GBP, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.

ItemGBPUS$
Housing
1-bedroom apartment, center (month)£850–1,250$1,120–1,650
1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month)£650–950$859–1,260
Hostel dorm bed (night)£18–32$24–42
Mid-range hotel room (night)£85–150$112–198
Food and drink
Local meal or street food£7–12$9.3–15.9
Mid-range restaurant, per person£17–30$22–40
Cappuccino£3–4$4.0–5.3
Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar£4–6$5.3–7.9
Getting around
Public transport, one ride£2–3$2.6–4.0
Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km£8–14$10.6–18.5
Work and life
Gym membership (month)£20–45$26–59
Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month)£10–20$13–26

Value for money: 19/100

A value score of 19/100 means Belfast gives more quality of life per dollar than 18% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 78/100. It's the 4th most affordable of 22 places we cover in United Kingdom.

Quality factorScore
Safety75
Air quality95
Internet74
Healthcare100
Weather0
Friendly locals100
English100

Cost of living across United Kingdom

One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.

PlaceComfortable monthValue
Snowdonia$2,640–3,70028/100
Newcastle$2,640–3,83022/100
Liverpool$2,780–3,97020/100
Belfast$2,780–3,97019/100
Scottish Highlands$2,910–4,10023/100
Cardiff$2,910–4,10019/100
Leeds$2,910–4,10017/100
Glasgow$2,910–4,23017/100
York$3,040–4,23020/100
Birmingham$3,040–4,36010/100
Manchester$3,170–4,50012/100
Lake District$3,310–4,63013/100
Cornwall$3,310–4,63015/100
Edinburgh$3,310–4,76014/100
Brighton$3,440–4,76010/100
Isle of Skye$3,440–4,76013/100
Bath$3,570–4,89012/100
Bristol$3,570–5,0208/100
Oxford$3,700–5,02011/100
Cambridge$3,700–5,02011/100
Cotswolds$3,700–5,29010/100
London$4,360–6,3503/100

Cheaper alternatives to Belfast

Similar safety, lower cost, in Europe.

PlaceCountryComfortable month
OhridNorth Macedonia$829–1,290
SibiuRomania$1,160–1,690
MostarBosnia and Herzegovina$920–1,320
BrașovRomania$1,160–1,690
SkopjeNorth Macedonia$1,010–1,570

Quick answers

How much money do you need per month in Belfast?

About $1,850–2,510 on a lean budget, $2,780–3,970 for a comfortable month and $5,020–7,930 for a luxury one, rent included.

How much is rent in Belfast?

A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs £850–1,250 ($1,120–1,650) a month in the center and £650–950 ($859–1,260) outside it.

How much does food cost in Belfast?

A local meal is £7–12 ($9.3–15.9); a mid-range restaurant is £17–30 ($22–40) per person.

Is United Kingdom expensive?

Prices in United Kingdom are about 89% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).

More about Belfast

Going to Belfast solo?

SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Belfast meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.

See plans in Belfast

Sources

Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.