😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,599 in San Pedro versus $1,217 in Belize City.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,690 in San Pedro versus $1,782 in Belize City.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,781 in San Pedro versus $2,346 in Belize City.
🌍Living in San Pedro is roughly 31% more expensive than in Belize City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: San Pedro is 17% above, Belize City is 11% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.62BZD 19.24
$6.47BZD 12.94
48.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.01BZD 60.0
$50.1BZD 100
-40.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$9.55BZD 19.10
-
Cappuccino
$3.06BZD 6.12
$3.60BZD 7.19
-15.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39BZD 2.79
$1.74BZD 3.47
-20.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52BZD 3.04
$1.45BZD 2.90
4.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.92BZD 5.84
$2.60BZD 5.20
12.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91BZD 7.82
$3.07BZD 6.15
27.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$5.01BZD 10.03
$2.68BZD 5.37
86.94%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45BZD 4.90
$2.42BZD 4.83
1.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.59BZD 11.18
$3.23BZD 6.46
73.07%
Eggs
$1.86BZD 3.73
$3.45BZD 6.90
-46.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.72BZD 23.44
$6.62BZD 13.25
77.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.27BZD 26.54
$7.94BZD 15.89
67.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.57BZD 21.14
$7.72BZD 15.44
36.92%
Apples(1kg)
$14.16BZD 28.32
$3.24BZD 6.49
337.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.12BZD 2.25
$1.52BZD 3.04
-26.32%
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.52BZD 5.05
-
Tomato(1kg)
$7.70BZD 15.41
$3.96BZD 7.93
94.44%
Potato(1kg)
$6.43BZD 12.85
$3.83BZD 7.66
67.89%
Onion(1kg)
$3.63BZD 7.25
$2.51BZD 5.02
44.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.29BZD 2.57
$2.29BZD 4.57
-43.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.90BZD 3.81
$1.16BZD 2.32
63.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$5.04BZD 10.08
-
Wine(Bottle)
$24.06BZD 48.12
$9.86BZD 19.72
144.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.82BZD 7.64
$2.58BZD 5.17
48.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.01BZD 8.03
$3.35BZD 6.71
19.70%
🚌 Getting Around
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$2.71BZD 5.43
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$4.42BZD 8.85
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$5.10BZD 10.21
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.59BZD 3.19
$2.41BZD 4.81
-34.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$10.7KBZD 21.4K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$175BZD 351
$366BZD 733
-52.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$49.01BZD 98.0
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$46.30BZD 92.6
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.65BZD 59.3
$24.66BZD 49.33
20.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$2.43BZD 4.86
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.89BZD 9.77
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$65.0BZD 130
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$674BZD 1,348
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$36.89BZD 73.8
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$24.95BZD 49.91
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$55.2BZD 110
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$37.01BZD 74.0
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,018BZD 2,037
$348BZD 696
192.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$753BZD 1,507
$193BZD 386
290.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,759BZD 5,519
$560BZD 1,120
392.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,038BZD 4,076
$329BZD 658
519.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,645BZD 5,290
$202BZD 404
1208.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,604BZD 3,209
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Pedro
Belize City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$847BZD 1,695
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
11.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for San Pedro: September 14, 2026
Last update for Belize City: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,018 in San Pedro and $348 in Belize City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $30.00 in San Pedro vs $50.0 in Belize City. Groceries flip the comparison at $483 vs $295, with Belize City cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
San Pedro vs Belize City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Pedro or Belize City?
Belize City wins on cost – living expenses run 31% lower than in San Pedro. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Belize City the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in San Pedro and in Belize City?
You'd need roughly $2,399 in San Pedro and $1,826 in Belize City to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in San Pedro compared to Belize City?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,018 in San Pedro versus $348 in Belize City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in San Pedro compared to Belize City?
All in, you'll spend $1,599 per month in San Pedro versus $1,217 in Belize City – a 31% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Are groceries more expensive in San Pedro or in Belize City?
Supermarket bills run roughly 64% higher in San Pedro. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in San Pedro or in Belize City?
At $1,217 in Belize City versus $1,599 in San Pedro, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Belize City but tight or insufficient in San Pedro. The gap between the two cities makes Belize City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: San Pedro or Belize City?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is San Pedro compared to Belize City?
Safety-wise, San Pedro and Belize City are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Belize City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 31% less than in San Pedro. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.