Cost of living in Belgium compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Belgium is 9% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €17 ($21) | $15 | + 41% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €8 ($10) | $8 | + 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €4.41 ($5.36) | $4.26 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.00 ($1.22) | $0.88 | + 38% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.78 ($4.60) | $2.94 | + 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.45 ($2.98) | $4.11 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €4.91 ($5.97) | $6 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.37 ($2.88) | $3.31 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.69 ($2.06) | $1.67 | + 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.74 ($2.12) | $3.32 | - 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 ($9) | $14 | - 36% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.31 ($2.81) | $1.99 | + 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.22 ($1.48) | $2.06 | - 28% | |
| Housing | - 26% | |||
| Housing in Belgium is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,131 ($1,377) | $2,210 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €927 ($1,128) | $1,548 | - 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €138 ($168) | $178 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €901 ($1,096) | $1,530 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €653 ($795) | $1,114 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €99 ($121) | $111 | + 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €36 ($44) | $50 | - 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €378 ($460) | $272 | + 69% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €133 ($162) | $128 | + 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €10 ($12) | $11 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €10 ($13) | $22 | - 42% | |
| Clothes | + 34% | |||
| Clothes in Belgium is 34% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €81 ($98) | $47 | + 110% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €43 ($52) | $43 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €82 ($100) | $87 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €104 ($127) | $109 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | + 5% | |||
| Transportation in Belgium is 5% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €24,774 ($30,142) | $23,539 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.32 ($1.60) | $0.64 | + 151% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €50 ($61) | $74 | - 18% | |
| Personal Care | - 20% | |||
| Personal Care in Belgium is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €8 ($9) | $7 | + 28% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €11 ($14) | $16 | - 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €36 ($43) | $113 | - 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.08 ($6) | $7 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.38 ($4.12) | $3.47 | + 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.87 ($4.71) | $4.91 | - 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.83 ($2.23) | $3.65 | - 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.17 ($2.64) | $1.81 | + 46% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €25 ($31) | $22 | + 44% | |
| Entertainment | - 9% | |||
| Entertainment in Belgium is 9% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €47 ($57) | $46 | + 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €22 ($26) | $25 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €81 ($98) | $205 | - 52% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €63 ($76) | $79 | - 3% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €9 ($12) | $12 | - 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.54 ($4.31) | $5.05 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.16 ($5.06) | $5.81 | - 13% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €476 ($579) | $420 | + 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.22 ($0.27) | $0.51 | - 47% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €40 ($48) | $50 | - 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €8 ($9) | $8 | + 11% | |
| TOTAL | - 7% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.217
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 32,710 prices entered by 4,293 different people.
Cost of living in Belgium is 7% cheaper than in United States
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