Cost of living in Belgium compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Belgium is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €16 ($18) | $14 | + 24% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €8 ($9) | $8 | + 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €4.71 ($5.12) | $4.32 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.99 ($1.07) | $0.88 | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.73 ($4.04) | $3.00 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.10 ($2.27) | $4.08 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 ($7) | $6 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.01 ($2.19) | $3.39 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.43 ($1.55) | $1.74 | - 11% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.88 ($2.04) | $3.21 | - 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 ($9) | $15 | - 41% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.37 ($2.57) | $1.92 | + 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.32 ($1.44) | $2.07 | - 31% | |
| Housing | - 36% | |||
| Housing in Belgium is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,189 ($1,290) | $2,233 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €944 ($1,024) | $1,605 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €150 ($163) | $179 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €850 ($923) | $1,612 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €604 ($655) | $1,141 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €116 ($126) | $117 | + 7% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €32 ($34) | $48 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €402 ($436) | $300 | + 45% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €140 ($152) | $121 | + 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €9 ($10) | $11 | - 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €10 ($11) | $22 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | + 32% | |||
| Clothes in Belgium is 32% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €91 ($99) | $49 | + 103% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €46 ($50) | $44 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €90 ($97) | $87 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €146 ($158) | $114 | + 39% | |
| Transportation | - 12% | |||
| Transportation in Belgium is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €22,310 ($24,214) | $23,002 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.44 ($1.57) | $0.77 | + 103% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €50 ($54) | $80 | - 32% | |
| Personal Care | - 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Belgium is 32% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €8 ($8) | $7 | + 14% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €7 ($8) | $20 | - 61% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €26 ($28) | $110 | - 75% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.48 ($5.95) | $7 | - 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €4.52 ($4.90) | $3.51 | + 40% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €4.12 ($4.47) | $5.02 | - 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.66 ($1.80) | $3.54 | - 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.32 ($2.52) | $1.85 | + 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €20 ($22) | $22 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | - 5% | |||
| Entertainment in Belgium is 5% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €43 ($47) | $45 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €21 ($23) | $25 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €70 ($76) | $221 | - 66% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €64 ($70) | $75 | - 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €10 ($11) | $12 | - 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.51 ($3.81) | $4.81 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.29 ($4.66) | $5.82 | - 20% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €428 ($465) | $405 | + 15% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.28 ($0.30) | $0.19 | + 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €30 ($32) | $54 | - 40% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €7 ($8) | $8 | - 6% | |
| TOTAL | - 17% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1.085
USD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 51,905 prices entered by 6,608 different people.
Cost of living in Belgium is 17% cheaper than in United States
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