Overview
Belfast has emerged as a major technology hub with significant investment from US tech companies attracted by competitive costs.
The median salary in Belfast is £31,000 per year. With a cost of living index of 65/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £750/month, residents typically retain £24,200 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Belfast vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Belfast is highlighted.
London
100
Edinburgh
79
Bristol
78
Manchester
72
Leeds
70
Birmingham
68
Cardiff
66
Liverpool
65
Sheffield
63
Newcastle
61
Best Paying Jobs in Belfast
Full city salary breakdown coming soon. Browse all UK salary guides →
Belfast Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £31,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 65/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £750/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £24,200/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 4.8% |
| Population | 343,000 |
Top Industries in Belfast
Financial Services
Technology
Healthcare
Aerospace
Tourism
Major Employers in Belfast
NHS
Bombardier
Concentrix
Invest Northern Ireland
Belfast City Council
Compare Belfast with Other Cities
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk