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Cost of Living in Belfast: Living Expenses for Students

Updated on 08 November, 2023

Pragya Sharma

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Study in UK

Belfast is a vibrant city that serves as the economic and educational center of Northern Ireland. It presently ranks among the UK's top five regions without the fastest economic growth. Belfast’s student population has a wealth of incredible stories to offer. Belfast is ideally equipped to assist educational opportunities and student growth since it boasts cutting-edge research facilities and excellent sporting facilities. In this blog, we are going to look into detail about the average cost of living in Belfast. 

 

 

How Much Does it Cost to Reside in Belfast

It is advisable to be aware of the average cost of living in Belfast in advance. Here is a general idea of aspects critical to it.

Student Housing

One of the most common housing options for students is student housing. It provides superb and affordable rooms, recording facilities, and amenities. They are all equipped with the greatest facilities. Students appreciate living alone and in private, aside from the infrastructure.  

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

£881

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

£636

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

£1,355

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

£906

Food and Groceries

Belfast has a wide variety of dining options, and restaurants, particularly those outside the city center, provide good food at reasonable prices. If you prepare food at home, your monthly purchasing price may range from  £100 to  £200 a month, depending on your dining habits. Fast food is less expensive; a dinner at a mediocre restaurant might cost anything from  £12 to  £20.

There are several different supermarkets in Belfast where you may get cheap groceries. Additionally, there are several individual shops and regular farmers' markets that sell fresh produce at affordable costs, making living expenses in Belfast manageable. The following goods have the following average market prices:

Inexpensive Restaurant Meal

£17.00 

Combo Meal at McDonald

£7.00 

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

£60.00 

Cappuccino (regular)

£3.17 

Water (1/3 liter bottle)

£1.33

Coke/Pepsi ( (1/3 liter bottle)

£1.66 

Regular Milk (1 liter)

£1.05 

Fresh White Bread loaf (500 grams)

£1.28

Rice (white) (1kg)

£1.60 

Chicken Filets (1kg)

£5.77 

Local Cheese (1kg)

£5.36 

Eggs (regular) (12)

£2.22 

Transportation Cost 

In Belfast, the cost of transportation is a bit high. The average living expenses in Belfast increase due to expensive factors like gasoline (petrol) prices, automobile rentals, public transportation, and the purchase and upkeep of vehicles.  You should set aside around 61 £ per month for public transportation; moreover, Belfast has a metro system. 

Although driving is undoubtedly the greatest option for getting around Belfast, the city also has a number of other public transportation options, including tram, train, and even water. There are several bus companies that cover a large portion of the regional area and provide cheap everyday transportation. Below is the detailed transportation cost for Belfast. 

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

£2.55

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

£62.61

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

£3.65 

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

£1.86 

Gasoline (1 liter)

£1.56 

Cost of Utilities and Bills 

Your utility use will determine how much it will cost. Your power, water, heating, cooling, and Wi-Fi are all covered by your utility bills. The costs are all-inclusive if you reside in student housing. You should inquire about the billing policies for university residence halls. 

Basic (Electricity, Cooling,  Garbage, Heating, Water) for an 85m2 Apartment

£120

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

£ 35

Leisure Prices:

The variety of entertainment options available in this metropolis should also be factored into your monthly budget to get an overall idea of living expenses in Belfast. The cost of entertainment varies from person to person, but the key determinant is your lifestyle and how much you spend on entertainment and leisure activities on top of your regular costs.

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

£9.00

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

£11.67    

Fitness Club Monthly Membership fee for 1 Adult person

£33.21    

Affordable Cities to Live in Belfast

Here's a table listing some affordable cities and the average cost of living in Belfast.

City Name

Average Cost of Living

Newtownabbey 

£1306.68

Derry

£1128.28

Lisburn

£1352.30 

Omagh

£1204.04

Bangor

£1020.74 

 Disclaimer: The prices mentioned are indicative and subject to change at any time.

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FAQs

What is the average living cost in Belfast?

Without rent, the average cost to live in Belfast for a household of four is  £2,488. However, the average living expense in Belfast for a single individual is  £702. 

Is Belfast more expensive than India?

According to Numbeo, the average living expenses in Belfast are 143.7% more expensive than in India, which means the cost of living in Belfast for Indians must be thought through. 

What is the highest-paid job in Belfast?

Here are some of highest paid jobs in Belfast: 

·         Service Advisor

·         Fleet Sales Development Representative

·         Spa Manager

·         Creative Designer

·         Policy and Campaigns Officer

·         Station Manager

·         Regional Supervisor

Pragya Sharma

Sr. Content Editor

Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT, and has now scaled up as a 360-degree content professional well-versed with the intricacies of digital marketing and different forms of content used to drive and hook the target audience. She is also a co-author of 2 stories in an anthology based on the theme- women empowerment.

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