Cost of Living in Belfast
Northern Ireland
City
Population: 345,000
Average House Price
£203.8k
-30% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£39,763
+2% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£936/mo
-22% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£1,298Band D / yr
Energy£142/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£41.00/ mo
Bus Pass£68.14/ mo
House Prices in Belfast
+4.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£203,840
Detached£296,400
Semi-detached£189,280
Terraced£145,600
Flat / Apartment£122,720
House prices in Belfast have increased by +4.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Belfast
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£39,763
Mean£44,472
Median hourly rate£18.97/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£27,032
Upper quartile (75th)£52,320
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+1.9%
£724 above national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Belfast
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Belfast each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £936 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £108 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £142 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £41.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £176 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £243 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £143 |
| Estimated Total | £1,824 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Belfast
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£68.14
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.35
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£176
Compare Belfast with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Belfast stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Belfast
- What is the average house price in Belfast?
- The average house price in Belfast is £203,840, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £296,400, while flats and apartments average £122,720. Prices have risen by +4.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Belfast?
- The median annual salary in Belfast is £39,763, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £724 above the national average, making it a higher-earning area. Salaries typically range from £27,032 (lower quartile) to £52,320 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Belfast?
- Average monthly rent in Belfast is £936 per month. Rents have increased by +6.6% over the past year.
- Is Belfast an affordable place to live?
- Belfast is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 28% of the median monthly income. This is close to, but within, the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £936, while the median annual salary is £39,763 (approximately £3,314 per month before tax).
- How does Belfast compare to London?
- The average house price in Belfast is £203,840, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Belfast costs around 37% of London prices, making it £347,160 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £936 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Belfast?
- House prices in Belfast are currently rising, with a +4.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £203,840 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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