Cost of living in Belgium compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Belgium is 16% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €16 ($17) | $17 | - 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €9 ($9) | $9 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €4.35 ($4.57) | $5.07 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.05 ($1.10) | $0.99 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.49 ($3.66) | $3.33 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.63 ($2.76) | $4.43 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 ($7) | $7 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.25 ($2.36) | $3.93 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.66 ($1.74) | $1.92 | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.70 ($1.79) | $3.30 | - 46% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 ($9) | $16 | - 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.46 ($2.58) | $2.26 | + 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.63 ($1.71) | $2.46 | - 31% | |
| 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 | €1,308 ($1,372) | $2,508 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,173 ($1,230) | $1,960 | - 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €102 ($107) | $206 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €840 ($881) | $1,778 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €689 ($722) | $1,342 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €66 ($69) | $139 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €45 ($47) | $56 | - 17% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €775 ($812) | $300 | + 171% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €212 ($222) | $135 | + 65% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €14 ($15) | $12 | + 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 ($11) | $27 | - 57% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in Belgium is 11% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €83 ($87) | $51 | + 71% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €43 ($45) | $46 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €84 ($88) | $92 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €122 ($128) | $120 | + 6% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in Belgium is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €25,153 ($26,376) | $25,474 | + 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.52 ($1.59) | $1.06 | + 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €48 ($51) | $77 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | - 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Belgium is 38% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €9 ($10) | $7 | + 30% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €12 ($13) | $19 | - 32% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €32 ($34) | $125 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.15 ($5.40) | $7 | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €3.67 ($3.85) | $4.17 | - 8% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.77 ($3.96) | $5.50 | - 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.90 ($1.99) | $4.18 | - 52% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.17 ($2.28) | $2.05 | + 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €22 ($23) | $25 | - 7% | |
| Entertainment | - 11% | |||
| Entertainment in Belgium is 11% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Belgium | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €47 ($49) | $49 | - 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €24 ($25) | $27 | - 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €72 ($76) | $196 | - 61% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €62 ($65) | $83 | - 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €11 ($11) | $13 | - 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.15 ($3.31) | $5.19 | - 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €3.96 ($4.15) | $6 | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €415 ($435) | $499 | - 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.25 ($0.26) | $0.17 | + 56% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €39 ($41) | $53 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €8 ($8) | $9 | - 12% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.049
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,431 prices entered by 2,667 different people.
Cost of living in Belgium is 25% cheaper than in United States
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