- Cost of Living
- Belgium
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in Belgium compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Belgium is 2% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €15 ($18) | $14 | + 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | €8 ($9) | $8 | + 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.30 ($6) | $4.52 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.02 ($1.16) | $0.89 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.25 ($4.84) | $3.19 | + 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €1.95 ($2.22) | $3.99 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 ($8) | $6 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.20 ($2.51) | $3.33 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.31 ($1.49) | $1.61 | - 8% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.44 ($1.64) | $3.63 | - 55% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €9 ($10) | $15 | - 33% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | €2.28 ($2.60) | $1.92 | + 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.34 ($1.53) | $2.13 | - 28% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in Belgium is 33% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | €1,143 ($1,302) | $2,046 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | €858 ($977) | $1,575 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €131 ($149) | $176 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | €795 ($905) | $1,586 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | €599 ($682) | $1,129 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | €121 ($138) | $119 | + 16% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | €36 ($41) | $48 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | €429 ($489) | $328 | + 49% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | €102 ($116) | $120 | - 3% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 ($9) | $11 | - 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €10 ($11) | $23 | - 51% | |
| Clothes | + 21% | |||
| Clothes in Belgium is 21% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | €89 ($101) | $47 | + 114% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | €39 ($44) | $45 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | €93 ($106) | $86 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €116 ($133) | $115 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in Belgium is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €20,664 ($23,545) | $22,381 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.45 ($1.65) | $0.78 | + 113% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €49 ($56) | $85 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | - 37% | |||
| Personal Care in Belgium is 37% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 ($10) | $7 | + 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €7 ($8) | $18 | - 54% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | €26 ($30) | $111 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | €3.61 ($4.11) | $7 | - 40% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.50 ($3.99) | $3.48 | + 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.00 ($3.42) | $5.13 | - 33% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.50 ($1.71) | $3.47 | - 51% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.91 ($3.31) | $1.87 | + 77% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €19 ($21) | $21 | + 3% | |
| Entertainment | - 19% | |||
| Entertainment in Belgium is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €43 ($49) | $45 | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €21 ($24) | $25 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €39 ($44) | $174 | - 74% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €58 ($67) | $79 | - 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €10 ($11) | $12 | - 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.97 ($3.38) | $4.89 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €3.69 ($4.21) | $5.95 | - 29% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | €433 ($493) | $422 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.20 ($0.23) | $0.36 | - 38% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €31 ($36) | $53 | - 33% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | €7 ($8) | $8 | - 3% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 18, 2019.
Exchange rate:
1.139
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 91,174 prices entered by 12,990 different people.
Cost of living in Belgium is 18% cheaper than in United States
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