Rental Investing in Belfast, N. Ireland

2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis

Gross Yield

6.2%

Annual rent / price

Median Home Price

£185,000

As of 2026-Q1

Median Monthly Rent

£950

Per month

Population

341,000

+0.5% / yr (5y avg)

Calculate Your Return in Belfast

Pre-filled with Belfast's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.

Property Details

£

Total acquisition cost before taxes

£
£

HOA, insurance, property management

%

% of time the property is empty

%

% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)

% of price

Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr

Results

Gross Rental Yield

6.16%

Net Rental Yield

3.56%

Cap Rate

3.56%

Monthly Cash Flow

£548.33

Annual Cash Flow

£6,580.00

> 6% — Excellent4–6% — Good< 4% — Low

Market Overview

Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend

2021
£158,000
2022
£200,000
2023
£190,000
2024
£187,000
2025
£185,000

Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend

2021
£795
2022
£910
2023
£940
2024
£945
2025
£950

Belfast provides solid rental yields of 6.2%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.

Modest population growth of 0.5% per year indicates a stable but slowly growing rental market.

The vacancy rate of 3.5% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.

Investment Profile

Cash Flow Market

Belfast is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.

Strengths

  • High gross yield of 6.2% supports strong monthly cash flow
  • Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
  • Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing

! Risks

  • Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
  • Modest population growth limits long-term demand growth

Key Metrics

Gross Yield6.2%
Median Home Price£185,000
Median Monthly Rent£950
Population Growth+0.5% / yr
Vacancy Rate3.5%

How Belfast Compares

Belfast vs Glasgow: 0.3 percentage point difference in gross yield.

CityMedian PriceMedian RentGross YieldPop. Growth
Glasgow, Scotland£185,000£1,0006.5%+0.3%
Edinburgh, Scotland£280,000£1,3005.6%+0.9%
Liverpool, England£170,000£9006.4%+0.2%
Manchester, England£230,000£1,1005.7%+1.1%
Newcastle, England£175,000£8505.8%+0.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental investing profitable in Belfast?
Yes, Belfast offers a gross rental yield of 6.2%, which is above the national average of around 5–6%. With a median home price of £185,000 and median monthly rent of £950, the numbers support profitable rental investing — though your specific results depend on financing terms, expenses, and property management.
What is the average rental yield in Belfast?
The average gross rental yield in Belfast is approximately 6.2%, based on a median home price of £185,000 and median monthly rent of £950 (as of 2026-Q1). Net yield, which accounts for vacancy, expenses, and maintenance, is typically 2–3 percentage points lower.
How does Belfast compare to Glasgow for investors?
Belfast has a gross yield of 6.2% compared to 6.5% in Glasgow, a difference of 0.3 percentage points. Glasgow offers higher current yield. Belfast may compensate through stronger population growth and long-term appreciation potential.

Ready to Analyse a Specific Property in Belfast?

Use our free rental yield calculator to model any property — not just the median.

Data source: UK Land Registry / ONS. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.