Cost of living in Belgium
When looking at the cost of living in Belgium, we normally take several factors into consideration — and we'll look at each one on its own in the following sections. But first, let's mention what the average salary is so the breakdown makes more sense.
Before getting into the details of the cost of living in Belgium, we share a couple of international comparisons so you can get a general idea — and we highlight what the situation is like in Brussels.
Cost of living in Brussels
As in most major cities and capitals, the cost of living in Brussels is higher than in other places — but the salaries earned do account for that. The average net salary in Brussels is €3,700 per month, or €44,400 per year after tax (source: Check in Price).
A family of four is estimated to spend €3,631.40 per month, and a single person €1,036.30 per month, both without rent (source: Numbeo). A single person can live very comfortably on their salary, but a family of four would need two working members based on average salaries.
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Cost of living in Belgium compared to the United States
Compared to the United States, rent prices are a lot lower in Belgium. The main other costs are also cheaper in Belgium. However, since salaries in the United States are higher, local purchasing power is lower in Belgium. Details below (source: Numbeo).
Cheaper in Belgium
- Cost of living (excluding rent) is 11.8% lower
- Cost of living (including rent) is 25.0% lower
- Rent prices are 51.5% lower
- Restaurant prices are 2.3% lower
- Groceries are 22.2% lower
More expensive in Belgium
- Local purchasing power is 21.0% lower
Cost of living in Belgium compared to the United Kingdom
Compared to the United Kingdom, living in Belgium is quite expensive. Local purchasing power is better in Belgium thanks to cheaper restaurants and groceries, but the overall cost of living is higher than the UK. Details below (source: Numbeo).
Cheaper in Belgium
- Restaurant prices are 2.8% lower
- Groceries are 0.8% lower
- Local purchasing power is 3.2% higher
More expensive in Belgium
- Cost of living (excluding rent) is 4.2% higher
- Cost of living (including rent) is 14.5% higher
- Rent prices are 51.9% higher
Breakdown of the cost of living in Belgium
In this section, we look at the cost of living in Belgium for specific categories in more detail:
- cost of renting
- utility costs
- public transport costs
- cost of entertainment and eating out
The breakdown is made both for Belgium as a country and for Brussels, since most expats will be most interested in moving to the capital.
Cost of renting in Belgium
In Belgium, the rent-to-salary ratio is quite good. It is said that one should be wary of paying more than 1/3 of their household income on rent. Most major cities worldwide break that rule — Londoners, for example, pay up to 50% of their salaries on rent.
In Belgium, on average, one would pay 30–35% of their salary in rent. The following table shows the average costs for a one-bedroom and a three-bedroom flat in and outside the city centre.
| Region | Flat size | Monthly rent (city centre) | Monthly rent (outside city centre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 1 bedroom | €843.13 | €727.18 |
| 3 bedrooms | €1,489.36 | €1,078.55 | |
| Brussels | 1 bedroom | €1,115.33 | €932.61 |
| 3 bedrooms | €2,040.38 | €1,569.20 |
Source: Numbeo
You'll have plenty of options for accommodation while searching for a place to live — furnished flats, serviced flats (sometimes called aparthotels) and unfurnished accommodation. The different levels of service and amenities affect the price, but if you're new to Belgium, a furnished flat saves you the trouble of having to find and buy items yourself.
Utility costs in Belgium
Depending on where you live and the type of contract you have, some utilities will be included in the rent (water, sewage, garbage collection) but others typically won't (electricity, gas, sometimes internet).
- Basic utilities (electricity, gas, water, garbage) cost around €193.41 a month on average in Belgium and €233.10 a month in Brussels (source: Numbeo)
- Internet at 60 Mbps with unlimited data costs around €50 (source: Numbeo)
Water and garbage are mostly provided by regional monopolies, so you can't shop around. But for electricity, gas and internet, the market is liberalised — you can definitely shop around to find the best service and prices.
Public transport costs in Belgium
As we saw above, outside the city centre prices are cheaper than in the centre. So if you want to save on rent, living outside the centre is viable — Brussels and Belgium in general have very good public transportation.
Major cities such as Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Charleroi have tram systems covering the entire city. Brussels also has a metro network. For other cities and areas, you'll rely on a bus network. In Flanders it is managed by De Lijn, in Wallonia by TEC, and in Brussels by STIB.
The following table shows the average price for a monthly pass and a one-way ticket for public transport in Belgium on average, and in the major cities.
| City | Monthly pass | One-way ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium (average) | €49.00 | €2.50 |
| Antwerp | €39.12 | €2.50 |
| Brussels | €50.00 | €2.50 |
| Charleroi | €29.00 | €3.05 |
| Ghent | €50.00 | €2.50 |
| Liège | €37.30 | €2.25 |
| Namur | €67.00 | €1.90 |
Source: Numbeo
Cost of entertainment and eating out in Belgium
One of the nice things about living in Brussels is that it isn't much more expensive than the rest of Belgium when it comes to entertainment and eating out. Belgium in general has great food and is known for its beers.
| Activity | Belgium | Brussels |
|---|---|---|
| Single meal at inexpensive restaurant | €20.00 | €20.00 |
| Three-course mid-range meal for two | €80.00 | €85.00 |
| McDonald's combo meal | €10.00 | €13.00 |
| 0.5 L domestic beer (pub) | €4.50 | €5.00 |
| 0.33 L imported beer (pub) | €4.00 | €5.00 |
| Cappuccino | €3.48 | €3.91 |
| 0.33 L soda | €2.73 | €2.71 |
| 0.33 L water | €2.46 | €2.45 |
| 2 tickets to the cinema | €24.80 | €27.20 |
| Gym membership | €32.89 | €35.46 |
| 1 hour of tennis court rental | €18.51 | €24.50 |
Source: Numbeo
At most restaurants where you might consider leaving a tip, a service charge of 10–15% is added to your bill automatically, so you don't have to tip.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Living in Belgium
A one-bedroom flat in the city centre costs around €843 per month on average across Belgium, and roughly €1,115 per month in Brussels. Outside the city centre, rents are 15-25% cheaper. A three-bedroom flat in Brussels city centre averages around €2,040 per month.
The average gross salary in Belgium is €4,076 per month (€48,912 per year) according to Statbel. The minimum wage stands at €2,070.48 per month. In Brussels specifically, the average net salary is around €3,700 per month after tax.
Yes. Belgium has one of the highest income tax rates in the European Union, with rates that can exceed 50% for top earners. The trade-off is a strong public sector — healthcare, education, social security and transport infrastructure are largely tax-funded.
Yes. Belgium pays monthly child benefits (allocations familiales / kinderbijslag) to every resident family, regardless of income. Amounts vary by region (Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia) and increase with the number of children. Most expat families with valid residency are eligible.
Yes for housing — rent is roughly 51.5% lower in Belgium than in the US. Groceries are 22% cheaper and the cost of living including rent is 25% lower overall. However, US salaries are higher on average, so local purchasing power is around 21% lower in Belgium.
More about living in Belgium