Cost of living in Belgium compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Belgium is 7% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €19 ($21) | $19 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 ($12) | $10 | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.74 ($6) | $5.79 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.16 ($1.25) | $1.08 | + 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.09 ($4.40) | $4.96 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.99 ($3.22) | $4.69 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 ($7) | $7 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.19 ($2.36) | $4.66 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €2.50 ($2.70) | $2.49 | + 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.98 ($2.14) | $3.11 | - 31% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €10 ($10) | $16 | - 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.81 ($3.02) | $2.78 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.74 ($1.87) | $2.99 | - 37% | |
| Housing | - 40% | |||
| Housing in Belgium is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,350 ($1,454) | $2,827 | - 49% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,098 ($1,182) | $2,145 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €273 ($294) | $220 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €919 ($990) | $1,885 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €703 ($758) | $1,443 | - 47% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €131 ($142) | $145 | - 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €42 ($45) | $64 | - 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €597 ($643) | $297 | + 116% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €189 ($203) | $135 | + 50% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €13 ($13) | $13 | - 0% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 ($11) | $32 | - 64% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in Belgium is 18% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €102 ($110) | $54 | + 104% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €38 ($41) | $45 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €107 ($115) | $93 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €128 ($138) | $119 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in Belgium is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €35,150 ($37,858) | $27,876 | + 36% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.79 ($1.93) | $1.05 | + 84% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €49 ($53) | $79 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in Belgium is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €12 ($13) | $8 | + 50% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €10 ($11) | $20 | - 46% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €26 ($28) | $139 | - 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.00 ($4.31) | $8 | - 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €5.18 ($5.58) | $4.82 | + 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €4.73 ($5.10) | $6 | - 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.00 ($2.15) | $4.77 | - 55% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €3.00 ($3.23) | $2.25 | + 44% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 ($26) | $27 | - 5% | |
| Entertainment | - 3% | |||
| Entertainment in Belgium is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €69 ($74) | $55 | + 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €25 ($27) | $28 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €97 ($104) | $195 | - 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €73 ($79) | $90 | - 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €11 ($12) | $14 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.64 ($3.92) | $5.20 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.08 ($4.39) | $6 | - 30% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €561 ($604) | $552 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.25 ($0.27) | $0.21 | + 29% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €27 ($29) | $54 | - 47% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €8 ($8) | $10 | - 15% | |
| TOTAL | - 19% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.077
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,175 prices entered by 2,879 different people.
Cost of living in Belgium is 19% cheaper than in United States
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