Cost of Living in Northern Ireland and Belfast: Prices and How to Afford it (2024)

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Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast, is a part of the United Kingdom. To the south is the Republic of Ireland, a sovereign state in its own right.

When you think of Belfast and Northern Ireland, many people think of the “troubles”, which lasted for almost 30 years. Now, however, Belfast is a contemporary city that is expanding and going forward despite its turbulent past. With its many job opportunities and relatively low cost of living compared to other cities in the UK, Belfast, and Northern Ireland in general, has become an increasingly interesting relocation destination. But what is the cost of living in Northern Ireland?

Cost of living in Belfast

According to Numbeo.com, the cost of living in Belfast is around 37% lower than that in London. The cost of living in Belfast for a single individual on a monthly basis in late 2022 not including rent, is around £660.50 for regular monthly expenses. These statistics don’t take into consideration optional expenses like paying a private dermatologist or going to therapy. When factoring in the cost of getting married and raising a child in the UK, a family of four would pay even more, or about £2,370, without rent. Obviously, the cost of living varies from person to person depending on tastes, lifestyle decisions, and individual circ*mstances, but this still serves as a good baseline. Below are further details on the average living costs for Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Rent

Despite recent increases in property costs, lodging is still reasonably priced and still pretty reasonable when compared to the UK mainland. In Northern Ireland, rents are fairly affordable. Naturally, costs differ from place to city. Dungiven, Maghera, and Coalisland are the least expensive locations, while Bangor, Holywood, and Hillsborough are the most pricey. The cost of living in North Ireland’s capital, Belfast, can occasionally be a little higher than average. You can expect to pay around £800 – £1,000 for a one-bedroom flat in the city centre, compared to £2,000 in London. For a 3-bedroom flat in Belfast, rent is around £1,300 per month on average. In Northern Ireland, the majority of housing is furnished. Looking at specialised real estate websites or contacting an agent are the two most common ways to discover a place to rent.

Utilities

You won’t have to worry about paying these expenses on a monthly basis if your rent includes utilities. If not, bills for gas, electric, and telephone service will be delivered, often every three months. The cost of utilities, just like other goods and services, has increased over the course of the last year, you can expect to pay around £150 a month on basic utilities, compared to nearly £270 per month in London. See what the UK is doing to respond to the cost of living crisis.

Transportation

In Northern Ireland, there is an excellent, well-organised transportation system. Translink, which consists of Metro, Ulsterbus, and NI Railways, is the primary transportation provider. The best part is that a ticket that allows for unlimited travel inside Northern Ireland can be purchased for £5. The iLink card provided by Translink makes this feasible. The card, which can be topped up online or at various locations, provides unlimited bus and rail travel inside Northern Ireland.

Groceries

Despite accounting for a relatively modest portion of monthly expenses, food costs have increased since the recent decrease in the value of the pound. A single individual can expect to pay anywhere from £400 to £500 a month on groceries, depending on diet and lifestyle factors, whereas the budget for a family of four sits between £1100 and £1200.

Is it cheaper to live in Northern Ireland than England?

On average, the cost of living in Northern Ireland is 1.27 times less expensive than the rest of the United Kingdom average. In the UK, Northern Ireland was rated as the fifth-best place to live in and the ninth-most costly state.

The average salary in Northern Ireland after taxes is around £2,400, which is enough to pay the bills for 1.6 months, comfortably meeting the Northern Ireland standard of living.

Is Ireland or Northern Ireland cheaper?

According to Numbeo.com, Northern Ireland living cost is lower on average compared to the Republic of Ireland. In Dublin, you would need about £5,246.2 pounds (5,949.4 euros) to live comfortably, compared to 3,300 pounds in Belfast.

Financial tips

How can you invest your money so that you are able to better afford the living cost in Northern Ireland? Thanks to its relatively low cost of living, with good financial planning you can develop an investment portfolio that can provide enough income for you to be able to afford living in Northern Ireland. Open a general investment account, and with the help of a financial advisor, you can come with an investment strategy to provide income so you can afford to live in Northern Ireland.

FAQs

How much does it cost to live comfortably in Northern Ireland?
With just the average salary after taxes of around £2,400, it’s possible to cover living expenses and as well as allocate funds to savings.

Is moving to Northern Ireland a good idea?
You won’t be dissatisfied if you’re thinking of returning to Northern Ireland or settling here for the first time. Northern Ireland has everything, including fantastic career prospects, affordable living expenses, and access to top-notch services. You couldn’t ask for more from the UK’s happiest location!

Is Northern Ireland a cheap place to live?
In Northern Ireland, rent is much more affordable compared to other states in the United Kingdom. Naturally, costs differ from city to city. Dungiven, Maghera, and Coalisland are the least expensive locations, while Bangor, Holywood, and Hillsborough are the most pricey. The cost of living in North Ireland’s capital, Belfast, can occasionally be a little higher than average.

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*Capital at risk. Tax treatment depends on your individual circ*mstances and may be subject to change in the future.