Belfast, located in the state of Maine, offers a unique blend of coastal charm and small-town living. Understanding the cost of living in Belfast is crucial for anyone considering moving to or residing in this picturesque city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $22 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $50.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $12.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer is $6, imported beer $9, cappuccino $2.5, and Coke/Pepsi $2.75.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $1.06 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $3.08.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $2.5.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $6.59 per kg, while oranges are $3.31 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $1.1 per kg, and lettuce costs $2 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $0.75 per liter.
  • New Car (Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort) - A new Toyota Corolla or equivalent costs approximately $22,000.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1200.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $750.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2000.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1500.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $3767.37.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $1614.59.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost around $300.
  • Internet - Internet services average $90.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs $75.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$22.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$50.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$12.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$2.50
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.06
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.08
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.50
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.72
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.99
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$12.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.50
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$10.00
Apples (1kg)
$6.59
Oranges (1kg)
$3.31
Potato (1kg)
$1.10
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.00
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.41
Banana (1kg)
$1.32
Onion (1kg)
$0.77
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$17.09
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.75
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$22,000.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,200.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$750.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$2,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,500.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$300.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$90.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$75.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$20.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$150.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$200.00
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$3,767.37
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$1,614.59
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
7%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$400.00
Belfast Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Belfast, ME, offers a moderate cost of living with affordable housing options, especially outside the city centre.

Dining out can be relatively expensive, but grocery prices remain reasonable.

Transportation costs are manageable, with gasoline prices being quite low compared to national averages.

Utilities and internet services are moderately priced, contributing to the overall affordability of living in Belfast.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Belfast, ME, presents a balanced cost of living that can appeal to both individuals and families.

With reasonable housing costs and manageable expenses in dining, transportation, and utilities, Belfast offers a comfortable lifestyle without the high costs associated with larger cities.

Potential residents should consider their personal lifestyle and budget needs when evaluating Belfast as a potential home.

Belfast

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Belfast
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