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Living in Belize offers a high quality of life on a modest budget, especially for retirees. By using local resources and embracing a simpler lifestyle, couples can live comfortably on under $2,000/month. Imported goods are taxed heavily, but many enjoy tax breaks, especially under retirement programs. Belize combines affordability with Caribbean charm, making it ideal for fixed-income expatriates.
Living the simple life in Belize can help you stretch your hard-earned money. This is good news for anyone seeking a place to live that offers a high quality of life on a fixed income, but this may mean planning for a different future.
Tourists may not experience these cost savings, but full- and part-time residents living in Belize quickly begin to see the benefits.
First, many costs are less than what you will be used to back home. Second, your lifestyle is likely to be different. It is less about keeping up with the Joneses and more about living a comfortable lifestyle.
The key to maintaining a low cost of living in Belize is getting to know the local vendors, farmers, and suppliers. I have several Belizean friends with higher standards of living than many “First World” residents. They purchase locally grown foods, which are far superior to the more expensive processed foods imported from abroad.
Also, they have more quality time with their family and friends because they can afford maids, cooks, and gardeners. They build their houses using readily available local materials and talent. If they need something that isn’t on hand, they go to the Mennonites in Spanish Lookout who can fabricate just about anything for far less the cost of importing it.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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In Belize, you must have third-party insurance, which costs around US$250 per year. A vehicle license is US$100 yearly, and a driver’s license is US$30 each year.
Gasoline is pricey in Belize, ranging from US$5 to US$7 per gallon, but diesel is often cheaper.
Personal spending habits can vary drastically, but the following sample is based on a two-person household living a comfortable expatriate lifestyle (not lavish, but not too meager).
It is assuming that your own your home and car outright.
For example, renting an unfurnished home is likely to cost around US$450.00 to $600.00 per month, based on location.
| Item | Unit | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | ||
| Cable | Monthly | $22.50 |
| Cable / TV plan | monthly | $20.00 |
| Electricity | kWh | $0.24 |
| Mobile | Monthly | $20.00 |
| Mobile data plan | monthly | $30.00 |
| Water (potable) | per m³ | $1.15 |
| Groceries | ||
| Apples | 1lb | $1.94 |
| Beef | 1lb | $3.32 |
| Bottled water | 1.5 L × 6 | $17.55 |
| Bread | 20oz | $1.40 |
| Butter | 250g | $2.90 |
| Cheese | 500g | $8.13 |
| Chicken | 1lb | $1.36 |
| Coffee | 500g | $8.24 |
| Coffee (ground) | 500 g | $8.23 |
| Cooking oil | 1L | $4.50 |
| Eggs | 12 | $1.98 |
| Flour | 1kg | $1.50 |
| Milk | 1 gal | $8.08 |
| Olive Oil | 500ml | $9.00 |
| Onions | 1lb | $1.27 |
| Pasta | 500g | $1.93 |
| Pork | 1kg | $6.29 |
| Potatoes | 1lb | $1.27 |
| Rice | 5lb | $2.25 |
| Salt | 1kg | $1.19 |
| Sugar | 1kg | $0.88 |
| Tomatoes | 1lb | $1.90 |
| Water | 1.5L x6 | $5.40 |
| Yogurt | 1L | $5.25 |
| Services | ||
| Gasoline | 50L | $102.10 |
| Gasoline (50 liters / ~13 gallons) | 50 liters | $86.58 |
| Gym | Monthly | $50.00 |
| Gym membership | monthly | $125.00 |
| Internet | Monthly | $24.50 |
| Internet (home broadband) | monthly | $39.50 |
| Medical appointment (General Practitioner) | per visit | $32.50 |
| Medical GP | Visit | $40.00 |
| Public transportation (single ride) | per ride | $1.00 |
| Transit ride | Ride | $1.25 |
| Medications | ||
| Acetaminophen | 30 tabs | $3.00 |
| Adhesive bandages | 10–20 unit pack | $3.20 |
| Antacid | 30 tabs | $4.00 |
| Antacid tablets | small pack (calcium carbonate) | $4.20 |
| Antibiotic ointment | small tube | $5.60 |
| Antihistamine (Loratadine) | 10 tablets | $4.60 |
| Aspirin | 30 tabs | $2.25 |
| Bandages | 30 pack | $3.50 |
| Bismuth | 120ml | $6.00 |
| Bismuth subsalicylate | 118 ml bottle | $7.45 |
| Cold/Flu | 120ml | $7.00 |
| Cold/flu combo | small bottle | $8.40 |
| Cough | 120ml | $6.50 |
| Cough suppressant | 100–120 ml | $6.80 |
| Ibuprofen | 30 tabs | $3.75 |
| Loperamide | 24 tabs | $7.50 |
| Loratadine | 30 tabs | $15.00 |
| Ointment | 28g | $9.00 |
| Avg rent (USD/mo) | Avg area (m²) | rooms | baths | parkings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (budget) | $727 | 89 | 2 | 1.5 | N/A |
| Mid-range | $1,357 | 131 | 2 | 1.5 | N/A |
| Luxury | $2,760 | 358 | 3 | 2.5 | N/A |
| Category | Belize |
|---|---|
| Rent | $726.78 |
| Utilities | $140.90 |
| Top cost drivers (highest monthly-cost items) | |
| Rent (monthly) | $726.78 |
| Electricity | $84.00 |
| Mobile data plan | $30.00 |
| Category | Belize |
|---|---|
| Rent | $1,357.09 |
| Utilities | $211.50 |
| Top cost drivers (highest monthly-cost items) | |
| Rent (monthly) | $1,357.09 |
| Electricity | $120.00 |
| Mobile data plan | $60.00 |
| Category | Belize |
|---|---|
| Rent | $2,759.62 |
| Utilities | $352.70 |
| Top cost drivers (highest monthly-cost items) | |
| Rent (monthly) | $2,759.62 |
| Electricity | $192.00 |
| Mobile data plan | $120.00 |
Here at Live And Invest Overseas, we believe the biggest potential for both fun and profit lies beyond the borders of the United States.
One of the best places for a Key West lifestyle at a lower cost is little, unassuming Belize, a Caribbean nation of about 400,000 people.
In Cayo, Belize, you can enjoy a very fulfilling life for US$1,000 per month, if you buy locally and use the local resources.
Placencia’s cost of living is very similar to that of Ambergris Caye. Also, it is a popular tourist area, with fantastic beaches. However, you’ll need a car if you live there, or on most other areas on the mainland.
You could live in Corozal or San Ignacio for less than US$2,000/month for a couple.
As mentioned in the retirement category, to become a Qualified Retirement Person, you are required to demonstrate that you can move US$24,000 per year into Belize. This amount covers you, your spouse, and any dependents that move with you.
In short, you can see that $24,000 a year is what the Belizean government believes to be a comfortable amount for U.S. citizens to live on here.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll send you a FREE report on the 12 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2026
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