Cost Of Living in Antwerp 2025

cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Antwerp

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Antwerp

Whether you're living in Antwerp or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: EUR
570 5,700 85,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$620 $6,200 $93,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single

Currency: EUR
750 5,200 58,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$810 $5,700 $63,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple

Currency: EUR
1,200 7,700 71,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,300 $8,400 $78,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family

Currency: EUR
1,800 9,200 92,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,000 $9,900 $99,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student

Currency: EUR
570 3,700 41,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$620 $4,000 $44,000
Chart showing the percentage of people who are in debt in Antwerp

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Antwerp


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
24%
Debt Free
76%

According to the survey, 24% of the people in Antwerp have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Antwerp

Debt-to-income ratio in Antwerp

Debt to income ratio

25%

15% to 35%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 25% of the people's monthly income in Antwerp goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%10%
40% - 50%11%
30% - 40%13%
20% - 30%16%
10% - 20%20%
0% - 10%28%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Antwerp pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 10% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 16% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Antwerp

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage14%
Auto Loan24%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card24%
Personal Loan35%

14% of debtors in Antwerp confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 24% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 24% of people and personal loans rose at 35%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Antwerp.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Antwerp

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never56%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Antwerp is 5,200 EUR. Expenses can range from 750 EUR at the minimum level to 58,000 EUR at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Antwerp is 7,700 EUR. Expenditure can range from 1,200 EUR to 71,000 EUR per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Antwerp is 9,200 EUR per month. Families spend anywhere from 1,800 EUR to 92,000 EUR.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Antwerp is 3,700 EUR. Students spend from 570 EUR to 41,000 EUR per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Antwerp

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Antwerp

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Antwerp

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

680 EUR 1,000 EUR 2,700 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$730 $1,100 $2,900

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,000 EUR 1,700 EUR 4,200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,100 $1,800 $4,500

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,400 EUR 2,100 EUR 5,700 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,500 $2,300 $6,200

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,700 EUR 2,900 EUR 7,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,900 $3,200 $8,600

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

3,300 EUR 8,300 EUR 17,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3,600 $9,000 $18,000

Townhouse monthly rent cost

2,700 EUR 4,100 EUR 12,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,900 $4,400 $13,000

House monthly rent cost

3,300 EUR 8,300 EUR 17,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3,600 $9,000 $18,000

Villa monthly rent cost

4,100 EUR 10,000 EUR 16,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4,400 $11,000 $18,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Antwerp ranges between 680 EUR and 2,700 EUR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,000 EUR to 4,200 EUR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,400 EUR and 5,700 EUR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,700 EUR to 7,900 EUR. The average rent of a townhouse in Antwerp is around 4,100 EUR while house rental costs can be as high as 8,300 EUR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 4,100 EUR to 16,000 EUR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Antwerp

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

140,000 EUR 210,000 EUR 430,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $230,000 $460,000

1-bedroom apartment price

170,000 EUR 290,000 EUR 1.1M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$190,000 $320,000 $1.2M

2-bedroom apartment price

270,000 EUR 810,000 EUR 1.6M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$290,000 $880,000 $1.8M

3-bedroom apartment price

920,000 EUR 1.4M EUR 4.2M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1M $1.5M $4.5M

Townhouse price

1.2M EUR 2.8M EUR 11M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3M $3.1M $12M

House price

1.5M EUR 8.8M EUR 13M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.6M $9.5M $14M

Villa price

1.7M EUR 9.7M EUR 15M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.9M $11M $16M

The average price of a studio apartment in Antwerp can range from 140,000 EUR to 430,000 EUR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 170,000 EUR to 1.1M EUR. A villa can cost you 9.7M EUR on average with prices ranging from 1.7M EUR to 15M EUR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Antwerp will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


67 x200 monthly income 310
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Antwerp can be x200 to x310 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x200 multiples of the average monthly salary in Antwerp.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


30% 42% of income 54%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Antwerp is around 42%. This means that people pay 42% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 30% to 54% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
33%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.5%
AVERAGE
3.5%
TO
4.5%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


11 EUR 110 EUR 1,700 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Antwerp

Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Antwerp

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

7 EUR 14 EUR 23 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.6 $15 $25

Restaurant meal for one

24 EUR 37 EUR 73 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$27 $40 $80

Fine dining meal for one

47 EUR 70 EUR 280 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$51 $76 $300

Cappuccino or latte

6 EUR 9.6 EUR 14 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.5 $10 $16

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

4.9 EUR 5.9 EUR 7.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.3 $6.4 $8

12 eggs

3.5 EUR 4.7 EUR 7 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.8 $5.1 $7.6

Fresh whole chicken

8.4 EUR 11 EUR 15 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.1 $12 $17

Pack of beef

10 EUR 15 EUR 30 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $17 $33

Medium bag of rice

3.7 EUR 5.1 EUR 7.2 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4 $5.5 $7.8

Bag of tomatos

1.4 EUR 1.9 EUR 3.5 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.5 $2 $3.8

Bag of apples

2.6 EUR 3.3 EUR 5.5 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.8 $3.6 $6
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Antwerp

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

6.1 EUR 7.4 EUR 15 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.7 $8 $16

Average car full tank

35 EUR 47 EUR 94 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$38 $51 $100

Average car 1-day rental

33 EUR 44 EUR 66 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$36 $48 $71

Average car price

17,000 EUR 34,000 EUR 45,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18,000 $37,000 $49,000

Bus ticket one way

1.1 EUR 1.7 EUR 3.4 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.8 $3.6

Car Service

46 EUR 69 EUR 140 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$50 $74 $150
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Antwerp

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual

39 EUR 270 EUR 3,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42 $300 $3,300

Utility Bill - Couple

40 EUR 300 EUR 3,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$44 $320 $3,600

Utility Bill - Family

76 EUR 380 EUR 3,800 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$82 $410 $4,100

Internet and cable

37 EUR 74 EUR 98 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$40 $80 $110

Mobile phone charges

24 EUR 40 EUR 120 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$26 $43 $130

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

16 EUR 21 EUR 31 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17 $23 $34

One month gym membership

58 EUR 72 EUR 140 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$62 $78 $160
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Antwerp

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

43 EUR 61 EUR 92 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$47 $67 $100

Woman dress

42 EUR 58 EUR 190 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$46 $63 $200

Woman shoes

37 EUR 50 EUR 120 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$40 $54 $130

Men's shoes

33 EUR 40 EUR 80 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$36 $43 $87

Men suit

37 EUR 46 EUR 250 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$40 $50 $270

Regular t-shirt

19 EUR 25 EUR 76 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20 $27 $82
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Antwerp

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

680 EUR 1,000 EUR 2,700 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$730 $1,100 $2,900

1-bedroom apartment

1,000 EUR 1,700 EUR 4,200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,100 $1,800 $4,500

2-bedroom apartment

1,400 EUR 2,100 EUR 5,700 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,500 $2,300 $6,200

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

140,000 EUR 210,000 EUR 430,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $230,000 $460,000

1-bedroom apartment

170,000 EUR 290,000 EUR 1.1M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$190,000 $320,000 $1.2M

2-bedroom apartment

270,000 EUR 810,000 EUR 1.6M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$290,000 $880,000 $1.8M
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Antwerp

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

700 EUR 870 EUR 1,200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$760 $940 $1,300

Double Bed

480 EUR 710 EUR 890 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $770 $970

Single Bed

430 EUR 560 EUR 730 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$470 $610 $790

Living Room

830 EUR 1,100 EUR 3,700 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$900 $1,200 $4,100

Dining Table

350 EUR 460 EUR 870 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$380 $500 $940

Sofa or Couch

480 EUR 650 EUR 1,400 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $700 $1,500
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Antwerp

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

480 EUR 720 EUR 1,400 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $780 $1,600

Fridge or Freezer

430 EUR 670 EUR 920 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$470 $720 $1,000

Washing Machine

530 EUR 760 EUR 1,400 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$570 $820 $1,500

Stove or Cooker

500 EUR 640 EUR 880 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$540 $690 $950

Mobile Phone

600 EUR 720 EUR 1,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$650 $780 $1,100

Laptop or Computer

670 EUR 820 EUR 1,500 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$720 $890 $1,600
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money in Antwerp

Saving Challenges in Antwerp

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Antwerp. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income7%
High Expenses10%
Debt and Loans19%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending9%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later16%
Inflation10%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 7% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 10% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 19% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 16% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 10% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses in Antwerp

How do people spend their money in Antwerp?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure27%

27% of total expenses on average (16% to 35%)

LOW$190   170 EUR
AVERAGE$1,900   1,700 EUR
HIGH$28,000   26,000 EUR
Per Month

People living in Antwerp typically spend from 16% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average spend on housing is 1,700 EUR with expenditure ranging from 170 EUR to 26,000 EUR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water, Internet, Mobile6%

6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)

LOW$27   25 EUR
AVERAGE$270   250 EUR
HIGH$4,100   3,800 EUR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Antwerp ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 250 EUR with 25 EUR and 3,800 EUR being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute9%

9% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)

LOW$59   54 EUR
AVERAGE$590   540 EUR
HIGH$8,800   8,100 EUR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 54 EUR to 8,100 EUR on commuting with 540 EUR being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 9% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 13%.

Food and Groceries Cost26%

26% of total expenses on average (18% to 32%)

LOW$140   130 EUR
AVERAGE$1,400   1,300 EUR
HIGH$22,000   20,000 EUR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Antwerp is 1,300 EUR. The cost of groceries can range between 130 EUR to 20,000 EUR. People spend on average about 26% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 32% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services8%

8% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW$36   33 EUR
AVERAGE$360   330 EUR
HIGH$5,400   4,900 EUR
Per Month

People in Antwerp allocate 3% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 33 EUR to 4,900 EUR with 330 EUR being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping6%

6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)

LOW$23   21 EUR
AVERAGE$230   210 EUR
HIGH$3,400   3,200 EUR
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 21 EUR to 3,200 EUR with 210 EUR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 10% of total expenses with an average of 6% for most residents.

Education and Schooling6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$34   32 EUR
AVERAGE$340   320 EUR
HIGH$5,200   4,800 EUR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 320 EUR per month with 32 EUR being the minimum spent amount and 4,800 EUR being the maximum.

Other Expenses12%

12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$78   72 EUR
AVERAGE$780   720 EUR
HIGH$12,000   11,000 EUR
Per Month

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Antwerp

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Antwerp and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Antwerp:
AgeAmount
2513,000 EUR
3028,000 EUR
3549,000 EUR
4072,000 EUR
45100,000 EUR
50140,000 EUR
55180,000 EUR
60220,000 EUR
65250,000 EUR

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions14%
Savings21%
Investments14%
Social Security9%
Annuities9%
Part-time Job9%
Real Estate16%
Dividends and Interest9%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Antwerp

420 EUR
$450
3,800 EUR
$4,100
42,000 EUR
$45,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Percentage of people who manage to save money from their income every month in Antwerp

How much money can you save in Antwerp every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in Antwerp manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
80%
Not Saving
21%

Almost 80% of the surveyed people in Antwerp said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 21% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Antwerp

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles84%16%
Couples82%18%
Families73%27%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Savings to income ratio in Antwerp

Saving to Income Ratio

16% 28% of income 40%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

260 EUR
$280
2,600 EUR
$2,800
39,000 EUR
$42,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 16% to 40% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 28% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 2,600 EUR on average with savings ranging from 260 EUR to 39,000 EUR.

84% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 82% of couples said the same. 73% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Antwerp?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

20% 33% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

250 EUR
$270
2,200 EUR
$2,400
25,000 EUR
$27,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%28%
10% - 20%22%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%17%
40% - 50%13%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 20% to 42% of their monthly income to savings, with 33% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 2,200 EUR with 250 EUR and 25,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

18% 31% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

510 EUR
$550
3,300 EUR
$3,600
31,000 EUR
$33,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%32%
10% - 20%24%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%12%
40% - 50%10%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 18% to 42% of their monthly income, with 31% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 3,300 EUR with 510 EUR and 31,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

16% 25% of income 36%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

780 EUR
$850
3,900 EUR
$4,300
39,000 EUR
$43,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%35%
10% - 20%27%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%9%
40% - 50%7%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Antwerp can save anywhere between 16% to 36% of their monthly income, with 25% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 3,900 EUR with 780 EUR and 39,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning in Antwerp

Financial Literacy in

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy78%


We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 22% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 78% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 19% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 81% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance19%

Easily manages finances81%

How easily is cost-cutting. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Antwerp

Low-cost alternatives in Antwerp

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options63%

Few low-cost options37%


Based on the survey, 63% of the people living in Antwerp have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Antwerp

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Antwerp

Spending to Income Ratio

92%

80% to 100%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%6%
50% - 60%12%
60% - 70%19%
70% - 80%27%
80% - 90%15%
90% - 100%9%
100% - 110%5%
110% - 120%3%
120% - 130%2%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%1%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Antwerp is 92% This means that on average, people spend around 92% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 19% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
85%
Spending-Income-Ratio
74%
95%

Couple
91%
Spending-Income-Ratio
80%
100%

Family
94%
Spending-Income-Ratio
82%
110%

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Antwerp

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Antwerp

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

7 EUR 14 EUR 23 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.6 $15 $25

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Antwerp is approximatly 14 EUR with meal cost ranging from 7 EUR to 23 EUR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

24 EUR 37 EUR 73 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$27 $40 $80

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 24 EUR and 73 EUR with 37 EUR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Antwerp.

Fine dining meal for one price

47 EUR 70 EUR 280 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$51 $76 $300

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 47 EUR to 280 EUR with the average cost being 70 EUR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Antwerp.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

6 EUR 9.6 EUR 14 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.5 $10 $16

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Antwerp is around 9.6 EUR. Price ranges between 6 EUR and 14 EUR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

4.9 EUR 5.9 EUR 7.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.3 $6.4 $8

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Antwerp is 5.9 EUR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 7.3 EUR and the minimum being 4.9 EUR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

3.5 EUR 4.7 EUR 7 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.8 $5.1 $7.6

A dozen eggs costs around 4.7 EUR on average with 3.5 EUR and 7 EUR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

8.4 EUR 11 EUR 15 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.1 $12 $17

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Antwerp is between 8.4 EUR and 15 EUR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 11 EUR.

Pack of beef price

10 EUR 15 EUR 30 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $17 $33

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 15 EUR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

3.7 EUR 5.1 EUR 7.2 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4 $5.5 $7.8

A bag of rice in Antwerp costs around 5.1 EUR on average with prices rangeing between 3.7 EUR and 7.2 EUR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

1.4 EUR 1.9 EUR 3.5 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.5 $2 $3.8

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.4 EUR to 3.5 EUR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

2.6 EUR 3.3 EUR 5.5 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.8 $3.6 $6

A bag of apples costs 3.3 EUR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


18% 28% of income 35%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Antwerp is around 28%. This means that people spend 28% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 35% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 760 EUR per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 110 EUR and 8,500 EUR depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 960 EUR per month. That number can be get as low as 150 EUR or a high as 8,900 EUR. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 290 EUR to 14,000 EUR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

Financial goals and targets of people living in Antwerp

Financial goals of people in Antwerp

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Antwerp, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund6%
Debt Reduction31%
Retirement Savings7%
Education Funding9%
Homeownership16%
Investing9%
Travel or Lifestyle12%
Healthcare Expenses8%
Financial Independence9%

Around 6% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 31% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 7% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 9% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 16% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 12% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 8% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Where do people choose to put their savings in Antwerp

Typical saving choices for people in Antwerp

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds10%
Gold9%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts12%
Cash Savings15%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds7%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical to live in Antwerp

Affordable living in Antwerp

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Antwerp?


Yes
83%
No
17%

Around 83% of surveyed residents think that living in Antwerp is affordable with proper budgeting while 17% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes81%

No19%


Based on the survey, 19% of the people living in Antwerp said that they don't have an emergency fund while 81% said that they do.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Antwerp

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Antwerp

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

39 EUR 270 EUR 3,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42 $300 $3,300

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

40 EUR 300 EUR 3,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$44 $320 $3,600

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

76 EUR 380 EUR 3,800 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$82 $410 $4,100

Internet and cable cost

37 EUR 74 EUR 98 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$40 $80 $110

Mobile phone bill and charges

24 EUR 40 EUR 120 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$26 $43 $130

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Antwerp ranges between 39 EUR and 3,000 EUR with average being 270 EUR, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 300 EUR with 40 EUR and 3,300 EUR being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 380 EUR. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 37 EUR to 98 EUR with 74 EUR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 40 EUR but can range between 24 EUR and 120 EUR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


1.2% 4.7% of income 9.4%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Antwerp is around 4.7%. This means that people pay 4.7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1.2% to 9.4% depending on salary and location.

Cost of living comparison by city

#1 Leuven

The average cost of living in Leuven is 2,900 EUR, which is 60% less than the country average. Leuven is ranked first in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#2 Namur

The average cost of living in Namur is 3,200 EUR, which is 40% less than the country average. Namur is ranked second in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#3 Brugge (Bruges)

The average cost of living in Brugge (Bruges) is 3,600 EUR, which is 40% less than the country average. Brugge (Bruges) is ranked third in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#4 Brussel

The average cost of living in Brussel is 3,900 EUR, which is 40% less than the country average. Brussel is ranked fourth in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#5 Liege

The average cost of living in Liege is 4,300 EUR, which is 20% less than the country average. Liege is ranked fifth in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#6 Charleroi

The average cost of living in Charleroi is 4,800 EUR, which is 20% less than the country average. Charleroi is ranked sixth in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#7 Gent (Ghent)

The average cost of living in Gent (Ghent) is 5,200 EUR, which is same as the country average. Gent (Ghent) is ranked seventh in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#8 Antwerp

The average cost of living in Antwerp is 5,700 EUR, which is same as the country average. Antwerp is ranked eighth in Belgium in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


Published: June 5, 2024   Last Update: May 13, 2025



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