Cost of Living in Belize City - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,224 monthly including rent, or $705 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,767 with rent, or $1,193 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,311 including rent, or $1,681 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.12 BZD 12.25

$3.89 BZD 7.79

$7.72 BZD 15.44

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.3 BZD 101

$29.19 BZD 58.4

$75.2 BZD 150

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.68 BZD 19.36

$7.44 BZD 14.89

$11.91 BZD 23.83

Cappuccino

$3.48 BZD 6.96

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

$1.73 BZD 3.46

$1.27 BZD 2.54

$2.05 BZD 4.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 BZD 2.93

$0.76 BZD 1.52

$2.05 BZD 4.10

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.50 BZD 5.01

$1.95 BZD 3.91

$2.95 BZD 5.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.92 BZD 5.84

$1.95 BZD 3.90

$3.42 BZD 6.83

Milk (1 liter)

$2.61 BZD 5.21

$1.49 BZD 2.98

$3.73 BZD 7.46

White Bread (500g)

$2.40 BZD 4.81

$1.23 BZD 2.45

$3.79 BZD 7.57

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.33 BZD 6.65

$3.03 BZD 6.07

$3.61 BZD 7.22

Eggs

$3.39 BZD 6.78

$2.11 BZD 4.21

$5.04 BZD 10.08

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.41 BZD 12.82

$4.60 BZD 9.21

$8.69 BZD 17.39

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.95 BZD 15.90

$4.52 BZD 9.05

$13.28 BZD 26.56

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.53 BZD 15.06

$4.49 BZD 8.99

$10.98 BZD 21.97

Apples (1kg)

$3.23 BZD 6.47

$2.23 BZD 4.46

$4.09 BZD 8.18

Banana (1kg)

$1.54 BZD 3.08

$0.99 BZD 1.97

$2.15 BZD 4.30

Oranges (1kg)

$2.51 BZD 5.01

$2.01 BZD 4.03

$3.31 BZD 6.62

Tomato (1kg)

$4.11 BZD 8.21

$3.09 BZD 6.19

$5.12 BZD 10.24

Potato (1kg)

$3.83 BZD 7.67

$3.07 BZD 6.15

$4.50 BZD 9.00

Onion (1kg)

$2.54 BZD 5.07

$2.26 BZD 4.52

$2.81 BZD 5.63

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.25 BZD 4.50

$1.94 BZD 3.89

$2.55 BZD 5.10

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 BZD 2.21

$0.29 BZD 0.58

$1.93 BZD 3.87

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.10 BZD 10.20

$4.06 BZD 8.12

$8.16 BZD 16.32

Wine (Bottle)

$10.10 BZD 20.20

$7.41 BZD 14.83

$12.12 BZD 24.24

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 BZD 5.11

$1.52 BZD 3.04

$3.62 BZD 7.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.31 BZD 6.61

$1.23 BZD 2.46

$4.96 BZD 9.93

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.80 BZD 5.59

$1.53 BZD 3.06

$4.06 BZD 8.12

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.42 BZD 8.84

$3.94 BZD 7.87

$4.90 BZD 9.80

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.40 BZD 4.80

$1.84 BZD 3.68

$3.91 BZD 7.82

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

$10.7K BZD 21.4K

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

$376 BZD 752

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

$49.51 BZD 99.0

$24.82 BZD 49.64

$49.51 BZD 99.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$45.91 BZD 91.8

$27.20 BZD 54.4

$64.6 BZD 129

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$24.72 BZD 49.44

$24.67 BZD 49.34

$24.78 BZD 49.56

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$2.51 BZD 5.01

Cinema Ticket

$5.09 BZD 10.17

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

$65.1 BZD 130

$29.27 BZD 58.5

$101 BZD 202

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$672 BZD 1,343

$347 BZD 694

$996 BZD 1,992

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.46 BZD 72.9

$32.60 BZD 65.2

$40.31 BZD 80.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.85 BZD 49.70

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.2 BZD 114

$38.01 BZD 76.0

$76.4 BZD 153

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$37.51 BZD 75.0

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$341 BZD 683

$249 BZD 499

$444 BZD 888

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$190 BZD 380

$149 BZD 298

$222 BZD 445

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$565 BZD 1,131

$500 BZD 999

$647 BZD 1,293

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$328 BZD 656

$277 BZD 553

$404 BZD 808

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$200 BZD 400

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$836 BZD 1,672

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.5

7.5

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

Last update: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $341 for a central one-bedroom, or $190 outside the center. At 41% of the average salary ($836), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $836, while typical expenses reach $1,224. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $293 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $50.0 for two.

Cost Highlights

Belize City has the 4th cheapest preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child in North America

Belize City has the 8th most expensive gasoline in North America

Belize City has the 9th cheapest 3-bedroom apartment, outside city center 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.

Everyday life in Belize City is moderately priced at about $1,224 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.

About 41% 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 $1,836 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 $190 to $341, 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.

Childcare averages $65.1 monthly at a private kindergarten in Belize City. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.

At about $293 monthly, food costs in Belize City sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.

Living on $1,000 in Belize City means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,224. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Living in Belize City means access to vibrant nightlife, coastal lifestyle, beach access at about $1,224 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 $1,224, so putting money aside takes more than $1,836 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

Budget travel in Belize City works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,224 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.