- Cost of Living
- Belgium
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Belgium compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Belgium is 3% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €15 ($17) | $14 | + 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | €8 ($9) | $8 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €4.81 ($5.44) | $4.58 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.02 ($1.15) | $0.89 | + 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.07 ($4.60) | $3.17 | + 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.96 ($2.22) | $4.04 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 ($7) | $6 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.28 ($2.57) | $3.34 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.31 ($1.49) | $1.59 | - 7% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.39 ($1.57) | $3.36 | - 53% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 ($10) | $15 | - 35% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | €2.34 ($2.65) | $1.92 | + 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.32 ($1.49) | $2.13 | - 30% | |
| Housing | - 35% | |||
| Housing in Belgium is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | €1,123 ($1,271) | $2,039 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | €854 ($966) | $1,573 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €135 ($153) | $178 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | €782 ($884) | $1,577 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | €585 ($662) | $1,127 | - 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | €112 ($126) | $123 | + 3% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | €34 ($38) | $48 | - 21% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | €429 ($486) | $334 | + 45% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | €99 ($112) | $118 | - 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 ($8) | $11 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €10 ($11) | $22 | - 51% | |
| Clothes | + 15% | |||
| Clothes in Belgium is 15% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | €91 ($103) | $47 | + 117% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | €36 ($41) | $45 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | €90 ($102) | $85 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €111 ($126) | $115 | + 10% | |
| Transportation | - 15% | |||
| Transportation in Belgium is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €21,272 ($24,058) | $22,268 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.43 ($1.61) | $0.77 | + 110% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €49 ($55) | $85 | - 36% | |
| Personal Care | - 41% | |||
| Personal Care in Belgium is 41% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 ($10) | $7 | + 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €7 ($8) | $19 | - 58% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | €26 ($29) | $111 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | €3.61 ($4.08) | $7 | - 40% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.50 ($3.96) | $3.51 | + 13% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.00 ($3.39) | $5.08 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.37 ($1.55) | $3.45 | - 55% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.91 ($3.29) | $1.86 | + 76% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €20 ($23) | $20 | + 11% | |
| Entertainment | - 18% | |||
| Entertainment in Belgium is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €43 ($49) | $44 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €21 ($24) | $25 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €48 ($55) | $174 | - 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €60 ($68) | $79 | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €9 ($11) | $12 | - 7% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.25 ($3.67) | $4.88 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €3.67 ($4.15) | $5.87 | - 29% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | €433 ($490) | $426 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.18 ($0.21) | $0.34 | - 39% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €32 ($36) | $54 | - 33% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | €7 ($7) | $8 | - 7% | |
| TOTAL | - 20% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 15, 2018.
Exchange rate:
1.131
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 94,311 prices entered by 13,900 different people.
Cost of living in Belgium is 20% cheaper than in United States
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