Cost of Living in Belize City - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,076 monthly including rent, or $641 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,657 with rent, or $1,027 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,238 including rent, or $1,412 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.34 BZD 12.67

$4.03 BZD 8.06

$11.08 BZD 22.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$39.37 BZD 78.8

$24.68 BZD 49.36

$74.4 BZD 149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.87 BZD 11.75

$4.38 BZD 8.76

$7.37 BZD 14.74

Cappuccino

$3.69 BZD 7.38

$2.99 BZD 5.99

$5.04 BZD 10.08

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 BZD 2.70

$0.98 BZD 1.97

$1.97 BZD 3.93

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 BZD 2.56

$0.49 BZD 0.98

$1.95 BZD 3.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.22 BZD 4.43

$1.96 BZD 3.92

$2.95 BZD 5.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 BZD 6.98

$2.47 BZD 4.95

$4.49 BZD 8.97

Milk (1 liter)

$3.19 BZD 6.38

$1.54 BZD 3.09

$5.15 BZD 10.29

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 BZD 2.54

$1.01 BZD 2.02

$2.02 BZD 4.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.24 BZD 4.48

$1.01 BZD 2.03

$3.62 BZD 7.24

Eggs

$2.33 BZD 4.66

$1.85 BZD 3.70

$2.95 BZD 5.90

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.17 BZD 14.35

$4.69 BZD 9.38

$10.06 BZD 20.13

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.61 BZD 13.23

$4.43 BZD 8.85

$13.40 BZD 26.80

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.58 BZD 11.17

$3.52 BZD 7.05

$7.24 BZD 14.48

Apples (1kg)

$3.73 BZD 7.46

$2.13 BZD 4.26

$10.71 BZD 21.41

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 BZD 2.91

$1.01 BZD 2.02

$2.21 BZD 4.42

Oranges (1kg)

$2.09 BZD 4.19

$0.98 BZD 1.96

$3.22 BZD 6.44

Tomato (1kg)

$2.99 BZD 5.98

$1.07 BZD 2.14

$4.90 BZD 9.81

Potato (1kg)

$2.99 BZD 5.98

$2.03 BZD 4.07

$4.49 BZD 8.97

Onion (1kg)

$2.38 BZD 4.77

$1.12 BZD 2.23

$3.07 BZD 6.14

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.16 BZD 4.32

$0.97 BZD 1.94

$3.91 BZD 7.82

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.86 BZD 1.71

$0.29 BZD 0.57

$1.43 BZD 2.86

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.99 BZD 7.98

$3.01 BZD 6.02

$8.02 BZD 16.04

Wine (Bottle)

$10.09 BZD 20.18

$7.41 BZD 14.81

$12.11 BZD 24.22

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 BZD 3.58

$1.22 BZD 2.44

$2.19 BZD 4.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 BZD 6.51

$1.21 BZD 2.42

$4.89 BZD 9.78

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 BZD 3.94

$1.48 BZD 2.96

$3.92 BZD 7.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.17 BZD 40.34

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.09 BZD 8.18

$4.05 BZD 8.10

$5.09 BZD 10.18

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.89 BZD 7.79

$3.87 BZD 7.75

$3.91 BZD 7.82

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.87 BZD 3.75

$1.84 BZD 3.69

$1.95 BZD 3.89

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$10.5K BZD 21.0K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$209 BZD 417

$42.28 BZD 84.6

$375 BZD 750

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$49.60 BZD 99.2

$24.86 BZD 49.73

$49.60 BZD 99.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.1 BZD 108

$38.71 BZD 77.4

$64.3 BZD 129

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$28.19 BZD 56.4

$24.31 BZD 48.62

$34.36 BZD 68.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.52 BZD 5.04

Cinema Ticket

$8.28 BZD 16.57

$4.90 BZD 9.80

$14.76 BZD 29.52

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$63.7 BZD 127

$28.66 BZD 57.3

$98.7 BZD 198

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$681 BZD 1,362

$352 BZD 704

$1,010 BZD 2,020

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.29 BZD 74.6

$32.04 BZD 64.1

$39.83 BZD 79.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.98 BZD 54.0

$12.18 BZD 24.36

$44.27 BZD 88.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.0 BZD 164

$37.19 BZD 74.4

$99.6 BZD 199

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.3 BZD 177

$36.79 BZD 73.6

$123 BZD 246

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$278 BZD 556

$197 BZD 394

$443 BZD 885

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$180 BZD 360

$149 BZD 298

$223 BZD 445

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$612 BZD 1,225

$549 BZD 1,098

$646 BZD 1,292

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$353 BZD 705

$277 BZD 554

$426 BZD 852

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$197 BZD 394

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,231 BZD 2,463

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.83

7.5

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $278 for a central one-bedroom, or $180 outside the center. At 23% of the average salary ($1,231), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $1,231, while typical expenses reach $1,076. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $1,613.

Expect to spend about $253 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $39.00 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $20.17 per month.

Cost Highlights

Belize City has the 9th cheapest preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child in North America

1-bedroom apartment, outside city center is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

3-bedroom apartment, outside city center is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Belize City Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

Cost of Living in Belize City - Frequently Asked Questions

Belize City sits in a practical middle ground for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want value without sacrificing access to services. For short stays, you’ll find affordable local meals, fresh produce, and transportation options that fit a modest budget. Longer stays open up housing choices – from simple apartments to guesthouses – that can keep monthly costs predictable if you shop around and negotiate. Cost of Living in Belize City, Belize varies by neighborhood, with waterfront areas and the historic quarter edging higher than inland residential pockets. Tip: Build a flexible weekly budget and test a couple of neighborhoods before you commit.

Belize City, Belize living cost varies by neighborhood and lifestyle, so you tailor your budget as you settle in. Daily life blends easy access to the sea with practical urban amenities. For housing, start with local rental listings and guesthouses; longer stays often secure better weekly or monthly rates. Food options range from crowded markets to small eateries and waterfront fish shacks – delicious yet budget-friendly if you pace your meals. Transport is flexible: taxis, bicycles, and occasional buses cover most routes, while rideshares vary by operator. If you work remotely, seek out a coworking space with reliable Wi‑Fi and a quiet corner café. Tip: Map a couple of go-to neighborhoods and keep cash on hand for small vendors.

Belize City offers a warm, approachable vibe with sea access and manageable services, making daily life feel relaxed yet active. To maintain quality of life on a simple budget, adopt a three-pile plan: housing, daily needs, and discretionary experiences. In practice, test different neighborhoods – Fort George for walkability and culture, Riverside for calmer evenings, and Caribbean Shores for breezy coastal access – and choose based on your daily rhythms. Seasonality matters: the dry season brings more events and higher availability, while the rainy season can reduce prices and crowding. Tip: Build a flexible calendar that pairs with a no-surprise emergency fund and seasonal pacing.

Your money goes further in Belize City than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $1,076 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.

About 23% of the average paycheck in Belize City goes to rent, which is fairly typical worldwide. It's not dirt cheap, but most residents manage housing costs alongside everyday expenses without major sacrifices.

Earning $1,613 monthly in Belize City means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Belize City range from $180 to $278, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

Fitness in Belize City is cheap at around $28.19 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.

Belize City is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $253, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.

$800 stretches far in Belize City – all-in monthly costs average only $1,076. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.

Living in Belize City means access to vibrant nightlife, coastal lifestyle, beach access at about $1,076 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.

Monthly expenses in Belize City run around $1,076, so putting money aside takes more than $1,613 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travelers love Belize City – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $1,076 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.