Cost Of Living in Liege 2024

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

Whether you're living in Liege 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

5,300 EUR

per month
$5,700

410 EUR   $440
$57,000   53,000 EUR

Single

3,700 EUR

per month
$4,000

1,200 EUR   $1,300
$26,000   24,000 EUR

Couple

6,100 EUR

per month
$6,600

2,000 EUR   $2,200
$35,000   32,000 EUR

Family

8,100 EUR

per month
$8,800

2,800 EUR   $3,100
$48,000   45,000 EUR

Student

2,600 EUR

per month
$2,800

1,000 EUR   $1,100
$5,100   4,700 EUR
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Liege is 3,700 EUR. Expenses can range from 1,200 EUR at the minimum level to 24,000 EUR at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Liege is 6,100 EUR. Expenditure can range from 2,000 EUR to 32,000 EUR per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Liege is 8,100 EUR per month. Families spend anywhere from 2,800 EUR to 45,000 EUR.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Liege is 2,600 EUR. Students spend from 1,000 EUR to 4,700 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.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Liege


Dining, food, and beverages costs


Large bottle of water
0.67 EUR 0.76 EUR 0.88 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.73 $0.83 $0.96
Fast food combo meal
5.7 EUR 11 EUR 19 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.2 $12 $21
Restaurant meal for one
19 EUR 29 EUR 58 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21 $31 $62
Fine dining meal for one
38 EUR 58 EUR 230 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42 $62 $250
Soda or Soft Drink
0.82 EUR 0.96 EUR 1.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.89 $1 $1.2
Cappuccino or latte
4.8 EUR 7.6 EUR 11 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.2 $8.3 $12

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle
3.8 EUR 4.6 EUR 5.7 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.1 $5 $6.2
Loaf of bread
0.69 EUR 0.79 EUR 0.91 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $0.85 $0.99
12 eggs
2.9 EUR 3.8 EUR 5.7 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $4.1 $6.2
Fresh whole chicken
6.5 EUR 8.4 EUR 12 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.1 $9.1 $13
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
7.6 EUR 11 EUR 23 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.3 $12 $25
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
3.1 EUR 4.2 EUR 6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $4.6 $6.5
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
1.1 EUR 1.5 EUR 2.9 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.7 $3.1
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb
2 EUR 2.7 EUR 4.4 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.2 $2.9 $4.8

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride
4.8 EUR 5.8 EUR 12 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.2 $6.2 $12
Average car full tank
29 EUR 38 EUR 76 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31 $41 $83
Average car 1-day rental
29 EUR 39 EUR 58 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31 $42 $63
Average car price
14,000 EUR 29,000 EUR 38,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16,000 $31,000 $41,000
Bus ticket one way
0.97 EUR 1.4 EUR 2.9 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.6 $3.1
Car Service
39 EUR 58 EUR 120 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$42 $63 $130

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
73 EUR 220 EUR 1,500 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$79 $240 $1,600
Utility Bill - Couple
100 EUR 300 EUR 1,600 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $330 $1,800
Utility Bill - Family
85 EUR 240 EUR 1,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$92 $260 $1,500
Internet and cable
29 EUR 57 EUR 76 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31 $62 $83
Mobile phone charges
23 EUR 38 EUR 110 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25 $41 $120

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
14 EUR 19 EUR 29 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $21 $31
One month gym membership
46 EUR 58 EUR 120 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$50 $63 $130

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
34 EUR 48 EUR 72 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$37 $52 $78
Woman dress
32 EUR 45 EUR 140 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$35 $48 $160
Woman shoes
30 EUR 41 EUR 97 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$33 $45 $100
Men's shoes
26 EUR 32 EUR 64 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$29 $35 $70
Men suit
29 EUR 36 EUR 190 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$31 $39 $210
Regular t-shirt
14 EUR 19 EUR 58 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $21 $63

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
480 EUR 720 EUR 1,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $780 $2,100
1-bedroom apartment
720 EUR 1,200 EUR 2,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$780 $1,300 $3,100
2-bedroom apartment
970 EUR 1,400 EUR 3,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,000 $1,600 $4,200

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
97,000 EUR 140,000 EUR 290,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $160,000 $310,000
1-bedroom apartment
120,000 EUR 190,000 EUR 720,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130,000 $210,000 $780,000
2-bedroom apartment
190,000 EUR 580,000 EUR 1.2M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210,000 $630,000 $1.3M

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed
570 EUR 720 EUR 960 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$620 $780 $1,000
Double Bed
380 EUR 570 EUR 720 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $620 $780
Single Bed
340 EUR 440 EUR 570 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $480 $620
Living Room
640 EUR 820 EUR 2,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$690 $890 $3,100
Dining Table
290 EUR 380 EUR 720 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$310 $410 $780
Sofa or Couch
380 EUR 520 EUR 1,100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $560 $1,200

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set
380 EUR 570 EUR 1,100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $620 $1,200
Fridge or Freezer
340 EUR 520 EUR 720 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $560 $780
Washing Machine
440 EUR 640 EUR 1,100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$480 $690 $1,200
Stove or Cooker
410 EUR 520 EUR 720 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$440 $560 $780
Mobile Phone
480 EUR 570 EUR 820 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $620 $890
Laptop or Computer
520 EUR 640 EUR 1,100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$560 $690 $1,200

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Liege

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.


Spending to Income Ratio

77%

68% to 87%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%6%
50% - 60%11%
60% - 70%18%
70% - 80%26%
80% - 90%16%
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 Liege is 77% This means that on average, people spend around 77% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 18% 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
70%
Spending-Income-Ratio
61%
78%

Couple
73%
Spending-Income-Ratio
64%
83%

Family
81%
Spending-Income-Ratio
71%
91%

How do people spend their money in Liege?

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 Expenditure26%

26% of total expenses on average (15% to 34%)

LOW$130   120 EUR
AVERAGE$1,700   1,600 EUR
HIGH$17,000   16,000 EUR
Per Month

People living in Liege typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 1,600 EUR with expenditure ranging from 120 EUR to 16,000 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, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)

LOW$22   20 EUR
AVERAGE$290   260 EUR
HIGH$2,900   2,600 EUR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Liege ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 260 EUR with 20 EUR and 2,600 EUR being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute8%

8% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$44   41 EUR
AVERAGE$570   530 EUR
HIGH$5,700   5,300 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 41 EUR to 5,300 EUR on commuting with 530 EUR being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

Food and Groceries Cost27%

27% of total expenses on average (19% to 33%)

LOW$110   100 EUR
AVERAGE$1,400   1,300 EUR
HIGH$14,000   13,000 EUR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Liege is 1,300 EUR. The cost of groceries can range between 100 EUR to 13,000 EUR. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services9%

9% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)

LOW$31   28 EUR
AVERAGE$400   370 EUR
HIGH$4,000   3,700 EUR
Per Month

People in Liege allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 28 EUR to 3,700 EUR with 370 EUR being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)

LOW$18   16 EUR
AVERAGE$230   210 EUR
HIGH$2,300   2,100 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 16 EUR to 2,100 EUR with 210 EUR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Education and Schooling6%

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

LOW$26   24 EUR
AVERAGE$340   320 EUR
HIGH$3,400   3,200 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 24 EUR being the minimum spent amount and 3,200 EUR being the maximum.

Other Expenses12%

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

LOW$57   53 EUR
AVERAGE$740   690 EUR
HIGH$7,400   6,900 EUR
Per Month

How much money can you save in Liege 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 Liege manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
69%
Not Saving
32%

Almost 69% of the surveyed people in Liege said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 32% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Liege

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles73%28%
Couples68%32%
Families63%37%

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.


Saving to Income Ratio

14% 23% of income 33%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

170 EUR
$190
2,300 EUR
$2,400
23,000 EUR
$24,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 14% to 33% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 23% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 2,300 EUR on average with savings ranging from 170 EUR to 23,000 EUR.

73% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 68% of couples said the same. 63% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Liege?

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

16% 27% of income 35%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

520 EUR
$560
1,600 EUR
$1,700
10,000 EUR
$11,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%29%
10% - 20%23%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%16%
40% - 50%12%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 16% to 35% of their monthly income to savings, with 27% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 1,600 EUR with 520 EUR and 10,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

15% 25% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

870 EUR
$940
2,600 EUR
$2,800
14,000 EUR
$15,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%25%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%11%
40% - 50%9%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 15% to 34% of their monthly income, with 25% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 2,600 EUR with 870 EUR and 14,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

14% 21% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,200 EUR
$1,300
3,500 EUR
$3,800
19,000 EUR
$21,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%36%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%8%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Liege can save anywhere between 14% to 31% of their monthly income, with 21% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 3,500 EUR with 1,200 EUR and 19,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

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.

Affordable living in Liege

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Liege?


Yes
80%
No
20%

Around 80% of surveyed residents think that living in Liege is affordable with proper budgeting while 20% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Liege

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 options61%

Few low-cost options39%


Based on the survey, 61% of the people living in Liege have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

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 of Liege whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes78%

No22%


Based on the survey, 22% of the people living in Liege said that they don't have an emergency fund while 78% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Belgium

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 Belgium 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 Belgium have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the 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%

Financial goals of people in Liege

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Liege, 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 Fund7%
Debt Reduction34%
Retirement Savings8%
Education Funding8%
Homeownership17%
Investing8%
Travel or Lifestyle10%
Healthcare Expenses10%
Financial Independence8%

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 34% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Saving Challenges in Liege

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

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


Reason% People
Low Income6%
High Expenses9%
Debt and Loans17%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending10%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later18%
Inflation11%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% 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. 10% 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. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% 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. 11% 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 societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Liege

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds11%
Gold10%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts11%
Cash Savings17%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds6%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Liege

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

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Belgium 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 Liege:
AgeAmount
2515,000 EUR
3030,000 EUR
3553,000 EUR
4075,000 EUR
45110,000 EUR
50160,000 EUR
55190,000 EUR
60230,000 EUR
65280,000 EUR

Retirement Income Distribution

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

Source% People
Pensions13%
Savings22%
Investments13%
Social Security8%
Annuities8%
Part-time Job11%
Real Estate17%
Dividends and Interest8%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Liege

870 EUR
$940
2,600 EUR
$2,800
17,000 EUR
$19,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Liege


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
23%
Debt Free
77%

According to the survey, 23% of the people in Liege have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 77% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in Liege

Debt to income ratio

24%

15% to 34%

( 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 24% of the people's monthly income in Liege goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%13%
40% - 50%12%
30% - 40%14%
20% - 30%14%
10% - 20%17%
0% - 10%27%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Liege pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 13% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Liege

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage12%
Auto Loan21%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card26%
Personal Loan38%

12% of debtors in Liege confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 21% of people and personal loans rose at 38%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Liege.


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 Liege

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Liege 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
Never54%
Once a year22%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Liege

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


Rent Cost in Liege

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
480 EUR 720 EUR 1,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$520 $780 $2,100
1-bedroom apartment
720 EUR 1,200 EUR 2,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$780 $1,300 $3,100
2-bedroom apartment
970 EUR 1,400 EUR 3,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,000 $1,600 $4,200
3-bedroom apartment
1,200 EUR 1,900 EUR 5,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,300 $2,100 $5,700
Furnished apartment
2,300 EUR 5,800 EUR 12,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,500 $6,300 $13,000
Townhouse
1,900 EUR 2,900 EUR 8,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,100 $3,100 $9,000
House
2,300 EUR 5,800 EUR 12,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,500 $6,300 $13,000
Villa
2,900 EUR 7,200 EUR 12,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3,100 $7,800 $13,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Liege ranges between 480 EUR and 1,900 EUR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 720 EUR to 2,900 EUR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 970 EUR and 3,900 EUR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,200 EUR to 5,300 EUR. The average rent of a townhouse in Liege is around 2,900 EUR while house rental costs can be as high as 5,800 EUR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,900 EUR to 12,000 EUR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Liege

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
97,000 EUR 140,000 EUR 290,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $160,000 $310,000
1-bedroom apartment
120,000 EUR 190,000 EUR 720,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130,000 $210,000 $780,000
2-bedroom apartment
190,000 EUR 580,000 EUR 1.2M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$210,000 $630,000 $1.3M
3-bedroom apartment
640,000 EUR 970,000 EUR 2.9M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$700,000 $1M $3.1M
Townhouse
830,000 EUR 1.9M EUR 7.2M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$900,000 $2.1M $7.8M
House
970,000 EUR 5.8M EUR 8.3M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1M $6.3M $9M
Villa
1.2M EUR 6.4M EUR 9.7M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3M $7M $10M

The average price of a studio apartment in Liege can range from 97,000 EUR to 290,000 EUR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 120,000 EUR to 720,000 EUR. A villa can cost you 6.4M EUR on average with prices ranging from 1.2M EUR to 9.7M EUR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Liege 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


47 x142 monthly income 220
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Liege can be x142 to x220 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x142 multiples of the average monthly salary in Liege.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


24% 34% of income 43%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Liege is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 43% 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
31%

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
2.4%
AVERAGE
3.3%
TO
4.3%

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.


8.1 EUR 110 EUR 1,100 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.


Single
Spending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Liege

Housing32%

32% of total expenses on average (20% to 44%)

LOW$480   440 EUR
AVERAGE$1,400   1,300 EUR
HIGH$9,500   8,800 EUR
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

8% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)

LOW$79   73 EUR
AVERAGE$240   220 EUR
HIGH$1,600   1,500 EUR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

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

LOW$110   97 EUR
AVERAGE$320   290 EUR
HIGH$2,100   1,900 EUR
Per Month

Food and Groceries18%

18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)

LOW$210   190 EUR
AVERAGE$630   580 EUR
HIGH$4,200   3,900 EUR
Per Month

Healthcare11%

11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)

LOW$120   110 EUR
AVERAGE$360   330 EUR
HIGH$2,400   2,200 EUR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

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

LOW$66   61 EUR
AVERAGE$200   180 EUR
HIGH$1,300   1,200 EUR
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$26   24 EUR
AVERAGE$79   73 EUR
HIGH$530   490 EUR
Per Month

Other Expenses20%

20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$240   220 EUR
AVERAGE$710   660 EUR
HIGH$4,800   4,400 EUR
Per Month


Couple
Average monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Liege

Housing29%

29% of total expenses on average (22% to 39%)

LOW$730   670 EUR
AVERAGE$2,200   2,000 EUR
HIGH$12,000   11,000 EUR
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$110   100 EUR
AVERAGE$330   300 EUR
HIGH$1,800   1,600 EUR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel10%

10% of total expenses on average (4% to 15%)

LOW$260   240 EUR
AVERAGE$790   730 EUR
HIGH$4,200   3,900 EUR
Per Month

Food and Groceries16%

16% of total expenses on average (11% to 21%)

LOW$310   280 EUR
AVERAGE$920   850 EUR
HIGH$4,900   4,500 EUR
Per Month

Healthcare13%

13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)

LOW$240   220 EUR
AVERAGE$730   670 EUR
HIGH$3,900   3,600 EUR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$130   120 EUR
AVERAGE$400   370 EUR
HIGH$2,100   1,900 EUR
Per Month

Education2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)

LOW$44   41 EUR
AVERAGE$130   120 EUR
HIGH$700   650 EUR
Per Month

Other Expenses19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW$370   340 EUR
AVERAGE$1,100   1,000 EUR
HIGH$6,000   5,500 EUR
Per Month


Family
Average monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Liege

Housing28%

28% of total expenses on average (23% to 38%)

LOW$990   910 EUR
AVERAGE$2,800   2,600 EUR
HIGH$15,000   14,000 EUR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$250   230 EUR
AVERAGE$700   650 EUR
HIGH$3,900   3,600 EUR
Per Month

Food and Groceries20%

20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)

LOW$550   510 EUR
AVERAGE$1,600   1,500 EUR
HIGH$8,700   8,000 EUR
Per Month

Healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)

LOW$250   230 EUR
AVERAGE$700   650 EUR
HIGH$3,900   3,600 EUR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$150   140 EUR
AVERAGE$440   410 EUR
HIGH$2,400   2,200 EUR
Per Month

Education14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$430   400 EUR
AVERAGE$1,200   1,100 EUR
HIGH$6,800   6,200 EUR
Per Month

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW$370   340 EUR
AVERAGE$1,100   970 EUR
HIGH$5,800   5,400 EUR
Per Month


Student
Cost of living and expenses break down for students living in Liege

Housing20%

20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)

LOW$270   250 EUR
AVERAGE$680   630 EUR
HIGH$1,200   1,100 EUR
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)

LOW$45   42 EUR
AVERAGE$110   100 EUR
HIGH$200   190 EUR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel5%

5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$79   73 EUR
AVERAGE$200   180 EUR
HIGH$360   330 EUR
Per Month

Food and Groceries22%

22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)

LOW$230   210 EUR
AVERAGE$570   520 EUR
HIGH$1,000   940 EUR
Per Month

Healthcare8%

8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$68   63 EUR
AVERAGE$170   160 EUR
HIGH$310   280 EUR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW$57   52 EUR
AVERAGE$140   130 EUR
HIGH$250   230 EUR
Per Month

Education19%

19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)

LOW$210   200 EUR
AVERAGE$540   500 EUR
HIGH$970   890 EUR
Per Month

Other Expenses17%

17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)

LOW$170   160 EUR
AVERAGE$420   390 EUR
HIGH$760   700 EUR
Per Month
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