Last update: Oct 2026 Belize 64K

Cost of Living in Belize City

For one person, living costs in Belize City are estimated at $1,224 a month, including rent and utilities – 21% below the national average. Rent and utilities take just under half of the total.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Belize City

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Belize City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $1,224 monthly including rent, or $659 excluding housing.

$1,224 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,787 with rent, or $1,152 without housing.

$1,787 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,350 including rent, or $1,645 for daily expenses alone.

$2,350 /mo
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.14 BZD 12.28
$3.90 BZD 7.81
$7.74 BZD 15.48
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.03 BZD 98.1
$28.44 BZD 56.9
$73.2 BZD 146
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.56 BZD 19.12
$7.35 BZD 14.71
$11.76 BZD 23.53
Cappuccino
$3.44 BZD 6.89
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 BZD 3.35
$1.23 BZD 2.46
$1.98 BZD 3.97
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 BZD 2.92
$0.76 BZD 1.51
$2.04 BZD 4.09
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 BZD 5.24
$2.05 BZD 4.09
$3.08 BZD 6.17
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 BZD 5.82
$1.95 BZD 3.90
$3.41 BZD 6.82
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$3.82 BZD 7.64
-
White Bread (500g)
$2.47 BZD 4.93
$1.50 BZD 3.00
$3.89 BZD 7.77
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.48 BZD 6.97
$3.35 BZD 6.70
$3.61 BZD 7.23
Eggs
$3.64 BZD 7.28
$2.14 BZD 4.28
$5.12 BZD 10.25
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.68 BZD 13.36
$4.62 BZD 9.25
$8.73 BZD 17.47
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.37 BZD 18.74
$5.87 BZD 11.74
$12.86 BZD 25.73
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.03 BZD 18.06
$7.10 BZD 14.20
$10.95 BZD 21.91
Apples (1kg)
$2.73 BZD 5.46
$2.17 BZD 4.34
$3.27 BZD 6.55
Banana (1kg)
$1.83 BZD 3.65
$1.48 BZD 2.96
$2.16 BZD 4.33
Oranges (1kg)
$2.76 BZD 5.52
$2.20 BZD 4.39
$3.31 BZD 6.63
Tomato (1kg)
$3.06 BZD 6.13
-
Potato (1kg)
$4.17 BZD 8.35
$3.90 BZD 7.80
$4.46 BZD 8.91
Onion (1kg)
$2.80 BZD 5.60
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.24 BZD 4.48
$1.94 BZD 3.88
$2.54 BZD 5.08
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 BZD 3.05
$1.10 BZD 2.20
$1.96 BZD 3.91
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.59 BZD 9.18
$4.07 BZD 8.14
$5.11 BZD 10.22
Wine (Bottle)
$9.82 BZD 19.65
$7.46 BZD 14.91
$12.19 BZD 24.38
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46 BZD 4.92
$1.51 BZD 3.03
$3.60 BZD 7.20
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 BZD 4.05
$1.21 BZD 2.42
$2.92 BZD 5.85
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.07 BZD 8.15
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.93 BZD 9.86
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.58 BZD 5.15
$1.83 BZD 3.66
$3.90 BZD 7.80
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$10.4K BZD 20.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$376 BZD 751
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.82 BZD 97.7
$24.47 BZD 48.95
$48.82 BZD 97.7
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.32 BZD 54.6
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.90 BZD 49.81
$24.85 BZD 49.71
$24.96 BZD 49.93
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.46 BZD 4.92
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.92 BZD 9.85
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$64.7 BZD 129
$29.13 BZD 58.3
$100 BZD 201
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$663 BZD 1,326
$342 BZD 685
$983 BZD 1,966
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.44 BZD 64.9
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.04 BZD 50.1
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$36.67 BZD 73.4
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.91 BZD 73.8
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$348 BZD 696
$254 BZD 509
$453 BZD 905
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$189 BZD 378
$148 BZD 297
$221 BZD 443
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$555 BZD 1,110
$491 BZD 981
$635 BZD 1,270
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$330 BZD 660
$278 BZD 557
$407 BZD 813
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$846 BZD 1,692
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.5
7.5
14

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

Last update: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Belize City $1,224
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$452
Groceries & Markets
$318
Accommodation & Living
$189
Eating Out
$151
Clothing & Footwear
$59
Sport & Entertainment
$35
Getting Around
$21 *

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $348 for a central one-bedroom, or $189 outside the center. At 41% of the average salary ($846), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $846, 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 $318 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $49.00 for two.

Cost Highlights

Belize City has the 4th most expensive gasoline in North America

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

Belize City has the 9th cheapest 3-bedroom apartment, outside city center in North America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
06:21 6:21 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
63,999
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BZD – Belize Dollar Converter

Belize Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 2 BZD (1 BZD = 0.5 USD). 1 EUR = 2.25 BZD (1 BZD = 0.445 EUR).

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Belize City Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Belize City - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Belize City, Belize for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get good value here?
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.
What’s daily life like in Belize City, Belize for housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
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.
What makes quality of life here good for budgeting, seasonal planning, and neighborhood fit?
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.
Is Belize City expensive to live in?
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.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Belize City?
With 41% of the average paycheck going to rent, Belize City is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What is a good salary in Belize City?
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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Belize City?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Belize City range from $189 to $348, 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.
How much does childcare cost in Belize City?
Childcare averages $64.7 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.
Is food expensive in Belize City?
At about $318 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.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Belize City?
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.
Is Belize City a good place to live?
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.
Can you save money living in Belize City?
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.
Is Belize City good for backpackers?
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.

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