Cost of living in Belgium compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 60% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Belgium is 60% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Belgium | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €20 (¥3,336) | ¥1,035 | + 222% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (¥1,770) | ¥817 | + 117% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.94 (¥986) | ¥618 | + 60% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.28 (¥213) | ¥237 | - 10% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.67 (¥610) | ¥335 | + 82% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €6 (¥1,055) | ¥439 | + 141% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 (¥1,031) | ¥1,195 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.59 (¥431) | ¥822 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €2.11 (¥351) | ¥509 | - 31% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.89 (¥314) | ¥312 | + 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 (¥1,268) | ¥1,267 | + 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.89 (¥479) | ¥276 | + 74% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €2.00 (¥332) | ¥293 | + 14% | |
| Housing | + 0% | |||
| Housing in Belgium is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Belgium | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,266 (¥210,144) | ¥365,082 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,194 (¥198,181) | ¥197,811 | + 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €265 (¥43,938) | ¥19,132 | + 130% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €873 (¥144,920) | ¥145,654 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €663 (¥110,098) | ¥106,059 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €154 (¥25,514) | ¥8,349 | + 206% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €54 (¥9,020) | ¥4,448 | + 103% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €302 (¥50,082) | ¥74,559 | - 33% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €110 (¥18,275) | ¥25,414 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €17 (¥2,885) | ¥1,338 | + 116% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €12 (¥1,981) | ¥2,815 | - 30% | |
| Clothes | + 40% | |||
| Clothes in Belgium is 40% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Belgium | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €89 (¥14,762) | ¥9,315 | + 58% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €35 (¥5,811) | ¥5,103 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €90 (¥15,001) | ¥9,892 | + 52% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €120 (¥19,924) | ¥12,189 | + 63% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in Belgium is 26% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Belgium | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €32,008 (¥5,314,464) | ¥3,060,780 | + 74% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.66 (¥276) | ¥169 | + 63% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €54 (¥8,889) | ¥8,198 | + 8% | |
| Personal Care | + 21% | |||
| Personal Care in Belgium is 21% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Belgium | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €12 (¥1,945) | ¥2,133 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €14 (¥2,324) | ¥2,551 | - 9% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €30 (¥4,964) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.29 (¥878) | ¥1,337 | - 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €9 (¥1,453) | ¥930 | + 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €4.92 (¥816) | ¥622 | + 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €3.01 (¥501) | ¥224 | + 123% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €4.00 (¥664) | ¥188 | + 254% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €29 (¥4,807) | ¥4,604 | + 4% | |
| Entertainment | + 48% | |||
| Entertainment in Belgium is 48% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Belgium | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €43 (¥7,130) | ¥4,908 | + 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €25 (¥4,171) | ¥3,881 | + 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €90 (¥14,920) | ¥7,212 | + 107% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €140 (¥23,236) | ¥8,269 | + 181% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €12 (¥1,946) | ¥1,244 | + 56% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.51 (¥583) | ¥547 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.70 (¥780) | ¥674 | + 16% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €561 (¥93,069) | ¥51,659 | + 80% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.25 (¥42) | ¥52 | - 20% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €82 (¥13,666) | ¥9,530 | + 43% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €11 (¥1,847) | ¥613 | + 201% | |
| TOTAL | + 29% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 616 prices entered by 149 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
166.034
JPY
/
EUR
Cost of living in Belgium is 29% more expensive than in Japan
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