Cost of Living in Belgium

If you've ever considered moving to Belgium, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Belgium?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Belgium and whether the reported $2189 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $2213.52.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Belgium
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

14.33 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

66.86 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

8.6 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

3.82 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.82 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.84 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

2.33 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

2.11 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

0.9 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.67 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.74 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

2.52 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

11.7 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

8.68 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

14.26 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.14 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.52 $

Oranges (1 lb)

2.12 $

Tomato (1 lb)

2.17 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.3 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.12 $

Lettuce (1 head)

1.04 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.75 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

6.21 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.55 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.89 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

7.16 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

2.39 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

46.8 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

4.76 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.91 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

28.65 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.77 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

23876.86 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

24182.97 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

163.72 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.21 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

46.22 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

26.95 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

17.86 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

10.51 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

485.67 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

15908.5 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

81.21 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

35.92 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

79.5 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

107.04 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

772.17 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

622.34 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

1121.7 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

913.35 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

3153.38 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

2541.7 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

2213.52 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

1.75 %

Belgium

How Safe Is Belgium for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Belgium

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Overall, Belgium is a safe country to travel to. Crime rates are low and anything happening to you on the streets of Belgium is unlikely. The only issue to keep an eye on, apart from being vigilant for terrorist attacks, is petty theft and pickpocketing.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Transportation in Belgium is very reliable and safe. However, be careful when taking a ride on the bus or a train, since they are frequented by pickpockets and thieves that might try to snatch your personal belongings.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Belgium being a top tourist destination in Europe, the chances of encountering a pickpocket are high, especially in Brussels, Belgium's capital. Be wary at subways and train stations, and keep your valuables tightly by your side in order to prevent someone snatching them.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Belgium is not exposed to any type of natural disaster risks and there haven't been any natural disasters in its recent history.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

As for muggings, Belgium is relatively safe. There haven't been many reports of someone being violently mugged or kidnapped, but some areas of Brussels should definitely be avoided. Ask local people or authorities about areas of Brussels that you should skip, or that are considered dangerous.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

As for terrorism, the threat unfortunately exists, and the risk of it happening is high. Since 2015. there have been numerous attacks and attempts of attacks so it is recommended to avoid crowded places, areas, events, or demonstrations.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

As in any country, especially those frequented by tourists, there are high chances of someone trying to scam you. Always double-check your change, negotiate everything in advance, and be wary of people trying to distract you are offering help with your luggage, as it might be a way to steal something from you.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Belgium is, generally speaking, very safe for women travelers. Try to avoid walking alone along with dark, poorly lit, or deserted areas, or finding yourself late at night in areas filled with bars or clubs as you might receive some unwanted attention. Apart from that, use your common sense and your trip should go smoothly.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

EU nationals do not need a visa to enter Belgium and are allowed to stay as long as they want. For the majority of other European or US nationals, a visa is not required. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after your planned date of return. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

The official currency in Belgium is the euro. The prices here are generally the same as in other bigger European countries. The northern part of the country is more expensive than the south.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The weather in Belgium is mostly cold and wet since it has a temperate maritime climate. The average temperature during the year is 10°C, so it is best to visit during summer, which is from June to mid-September.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Brussels Airport is the biggest international airport, located northeast of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Other large airports in Belgium are located in Antwerp, Ostend, and Liège.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Belgium, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Belgium with other countries

Cost of living in countries