Cost of Living in Belize

Updated: March 01, 2025

If you've ever considered moving to Belize, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Belize?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Belize and whether the reported $1523 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $892.52.

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Childcare

Clothing

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment

Salaries

Belize

restaurant Restaurants	Price	World Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	5.0 $
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	28.74 $
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	6.0 $
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)	2.0 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	3.48 $
Cappuccino (regular)	3.28 $
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)	1.07 $
Water (12 oz small bottle)	0.72 $

store Markets	Price	World Range
Milk (regular), (1 gallon)	2.15 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)	1.32 $
Rice (white), (1 lb)	2.1 $
Eggs (regular) (12)	2.12 $
Local Cheese (1 lb)	8.36 $
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)	5.62 $
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	5.06 $
Apples (1 lb)	5.17 $
Banana (1 lb)	1.18 $
Oranges (1 lb)	1.27 $
Tomato (1 lb)	2.54 $
Potato (1 lb)	2.5 $
Onion (1 lb)	2.1 $
Lettuce (1 head)	2.28 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	1.16 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	14.86 $
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)	1.93 $
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)	2.91 $
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)	4.0 $

commute Transportation	Price	World Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	1.75 $
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	22.41 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	3.5 $
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)	3.72 $
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	13.68 $
Gasoline (1 gallon)	1.7 $
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	28644.64 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)	33558.52 $

mark_as_unread Utilities (Monthly)	Price	World Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment	81.89 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)	0.28 $
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	69.6 $

kitesurfing Sports And Leisure	Price	World Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	39.92 $
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	8.28 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	7.95 $

child_friendly Childcare	Price	World Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child	173.96 $
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child	--

checkroom Clothing And Shoes	Price	World Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	36.51 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	28.19 $
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	85.8 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	102.51 $

night_shelter Rent Per Month	Price	World Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	349.78 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	230.57 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	829.5 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	556.2 $

home Buy Apartment Price	Price	World Range
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre	997.4 $
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	1147.61 $

account_balance_wallet Salaries And Financing	Price	World Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)	892.52 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate	10.83 %

Dining Out

The cost of dining varies with the type of establishment. A meal at an affordable restaurant averages around 5.0 USD, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant generally costs 28.74 USD.

Groceries

Basic grocery prices are accessible for most essentials. For instance, a gallon of milk costs about 2.15 USD, a loaf of bread 1.32 USD, and a dozen eggs approximately 2.12 USD.

Transportation

Public transport is relatively affordable, with a single trip priced at about 1.75 USD and a monthly pass around 22.41 USD. If you plan to use public transit regularly, these passes offer great value.

Utilities

For an 85 m² apartment, monthly utility bills—including electricity, heating, water, and waste services—average around 81.89 USD.

Sports and Recreation

For those interested in fitness and leisure, a monthly gym membership averages around 39.92 USD, while an hour on a tennis court on weekends costs about 8.28 USD.

Childcare and Education

Families looking for private childcare services will find that a month at a local preschool or kindergarten costs around 173.96 USD. For international schooling options, annual tuition can reach approximately None USD.

Clothing and Footwear

Clothing and shoe prices vary widely. A pair of Levi's 501 jeans, for example, costs about 36.51 USD, and mid-range Nike sneakers are priced around 85.8 USD.

Apartment Rentals

Rental prices depend on location, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging 349.78 USD per month, while one outside the center costs around 230.57 USD.

Real Estate for Purchase

If you're considering buying property, prices per square foot vary as well. In central areas, the price per square foot is roughly 997.4 USD, while in the suburbs, it's closer to 1147.61 USD.

Average Salary and Mortgage Rates

The average monthly net salary here is about 892.52 USD after taxes, and mortgage interest rates for a 20-year fixed-rate loan average around 10.83% annually.

Warnings & Dangers in Belize

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Overall, Belize is not the safest destination for tourists visiting Central America, as it’s filled with petty and violent crime, and most of it is centered in Belize City. You should take precautions on the streets of major cities and after dark.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Transport is actually not that bad in Belize. The quality of roads isn't too bad, and the roads are constantly getting better. In fact, Northern, Southern, and Hummingbird Highways are now among the best ones in Latin America and rival many in the developed world. You should only ride in licensed taxis, and you will know them by their green license plates. The thing to watch out for in Belize is roadway robbery. Rarely, if ever, armed robberies on highways can happen, but they usually happen at night.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpockets are a common occurrence on the streets of Belize and tourists are recommended to remain vigilant at all times when on the street. Petty theft tends to spike during spring break and winter holidays when the tourist seasons start. If you're there during that time, be extra cautious. Make sure you don't flash your valuable possessions on the street, or better yet, leave them in your accommodation and take only the cash you plan to use that day.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

There are many natural disasters that hit Belize regularly, causing substantial damage, especially in agriculture, among which are hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, and drought. The worst damage occurs during the hurricane season that lasts from June to November.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

The most violent crime that happens in the country has to do with rival gangs battling for territory. Few incidents of violent crime are targeted at foreigners. But when the incidents occur, they sure are nasty and it would be better to just avoid being near any type of incident on the street. What might affect visitors are muggings and other assaults and they mostly happen at night, which means you are highly advised to take a cab if you intend to go anywhere after sunset.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Although there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Belize's recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out so remain vigilant at all times.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Scams are common in Belize, so double check your change, never pay anything upfront, and negotiate everything in advance. Be very careful around ATMs and be wary of people trying to distract you. Also, be careful around children as they're probably trying to distract you too - they are skillful pickpockets.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

It isn’t a good idea for a woman to be going anywhere alone in Belize. It isn’t safe even for groups of people to be walking along with Belize during the night, or for men during the day, so it would be best for women to hit the streets accompanied by someone. It goes without saying that you should stay away from poorly lit and deserted streets and areas and from people that are visibly intoxicated or under the influence.

Cost of Living in Belize

Belize

Restaurants

Markets

Transportation

Utilities (Monthly)

Sports And Leisure

Childcare

Clothing And Shoes

Rent Per Month

Buy Apartment Price

Salaries And Financing