Cost Of Living For a Single Person in Belgium 2024

Single person cost of living chart - individual average monthly expenditure in Belgium

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: EUR
540 3,800 25,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$590 $4,100 $27,000

Average monthly spending for a single person or individual in Belgium

How much money does an individual need in a month to survive in Belgium?

A single person in Belgium spends around 3,800 EUR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a single individual can survive with a monthly budget as low as 540 EUR or as high as 25,000 EUR. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Belgium


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

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

6 EUR 12 EUR 20 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.5 $13 $22

Restaurant meal for one

20 EUR 30 EUR 60 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $33 $65

Fine dining meal for one

40 EUR 60 EUR 240 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$43 $65 $260

Cappuccino or latte

5 EUR 8 EUR 12 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.4 $8.7 $13

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

4 EUR 4.8 EUR 6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.3 $5.2 $6.5

12 eggs

3 EUR 4 EUR 6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $4.3 $6.5

Fresh whole chicken

6.8 EUR 8.8 EUR 13 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.4 $9.6 $14

Pack of beef

8 EUR 12 EUR 24 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.7 $13 $26

Medium bag of rice

3.2 EUR 4.4 EUR 6.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.5 $4.8 $6.8

Bag of tomatos

1.2 EUR 1.6 EUR 3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3 $1.7 $3.3

Bag of apples

2.1 EUR 2.8 EUR 4.6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3 $5
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Belgium


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

5 EUR 6 EUR 12 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.4 $6.5 $13

Average car full tank

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

Average car 1-day rental

30 EUR 40 EUR 60 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$33 $43 $65

Average car price

15,000 EUR 30,000 EUR 40,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16,000 $33,000 $43,000

Bus ticket one way

1 EUR 1.5 EUR 3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.6 $3.3

Car Service

40 EUR 60 EUR 120 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$43 $65 $130
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Belgium


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual

32 EUR 230 EUR 1,500 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$35 $250 $1,600

Internet and cable

30 EUR 60 EUR 80 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$33 $65 $87

Mobile phone charges

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

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

15 EUR 20 EUR 30 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $22 $33

One month gym membership

48 EUR 60 EUR 120 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$52 $65 $130
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Belgium


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

35 EUR 50 EUR 75 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$38 $54 $81

Woman dress

33 EUR 46 EUR 150 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$36 $50 $160

Woman shoes

32 EUR 43 EUR 100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$34 $46 $110

Men's shoes

27 EUR 33 EUR 67 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30 $36 $72

Men suit

30 EUR 38 EUR 200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$33 $41 $220

Regular t-shirt

15 EUR 20 EUR 60 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16 $22 $65
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Belgium


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

500 EUR 750 EUR 2,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$540 $810 $2,200

1-bedroom apartment

750 EUR 1,200 EUR 3,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$810 $1,300 $3,300

2-bedroom apartment

1,000 EUR 1,500 EUR 4,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,100 $1,600 $4,300

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

100,000 EUR 150,000 EUR 300,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110,000 $160,000 $330,000

1-bedroom apartment

120,000 EUR 200,000 EUR 750,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130,000 $220,000 $810,000

2-bedroom apartment

200,000 EUR 600,000 EUR 1.2M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$220,000 $650,000 $1.3M
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Belgium


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

600 EUR 750 EUR 1,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$650 $810 $1,100

Double Bed

400 EUR 600 EUR 750 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$430 $650 $810

Single Bed

350 EUR 460 EUR 600 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$380 $500 $650

Living Room

670 EUR 860 EUR 3,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$720 $930 $3,300

Dining Table

300 EUR 400 EUR 750 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$330 $430 $810

Sofa or Couch

400 EUR 550 EUR 1,200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$430 $590 $1,300
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Belgium


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

400 EUR 600 EUR 1,200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$430 $650 $1,300

Fridge or Freezer

350 EUR 550 EUR 750 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$380 $590 $810

Washing Machine

460 EUR 670 EUR 1,200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $720 $1,300

Stove or Cooker

430 EUR 550 EUR 750 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$460 $590 $810

Mobile Phone

500 EUR 600 EUR 860 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$540 $650 $930

Laptop or Computer

550 EUR 670 EUR 1,200 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$590 $720 $1,300
Single person or Individual cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Belgium

Single person expenditure to income ratio in Belgium

Analysing the how affordable it is for an individual to live in Belgium

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. Individuals usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a single individual ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

72%

63% to 81%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Individuals in Belgium spend around 72% of their monthly income. Some individuals spend as low as 63% of their income while some as high as 81%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a single person in Belgium

How do individuals spend their money in Belgium?

We asked thousands of individuals about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


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 and accomodation expenditure for individuals

Accomodation Cost36%

36% of total expenses on average (24% to 48%)

LOW$210   190 EUR
AVERAGE$1,500   1,400 EUR
HIGH$9,900   9,100 EUR
Per Month

Individuals in Belgium typically spend from 24% to 48% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 36% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 1,400 EUR with expenditure ranging from 190 EUR to 9,100 EUR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for individuals

Cost of utilities6%

6% of total expenses on average (2% to 11%)

LOW$35   32 EUR
AVERAGE$250   230 EUR
HIGH$1,600   1,500 EUR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Belgium ranges from 2% to 11% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly cost of utilities is 230 EUR with 32 EUR and 1,500 EUR being the upper and lower limits for a single person.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for individuals

Cost of transport and fuel8%

8% of total expenses on average (6% to 14%)

LOW$47   43 EUR
AVERAGE$330   300 EUR
HIGH$2,200   2,000 EUR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a single person resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a single person would expect to spend from 43 EUR to 2,000 EUR in a month on commuting with 300 EUR being the norm for most individuals. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 6% or as high as 14%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for individuals

Food and Groceries Cost16%

16% of total expenses on average (10% to 21%)

LOW$94   86 EUR
AVERAGE$660   610 EUR
HIGH$4,400   4,000 EUR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical person in a month in Belgium is 610 EUR. The cost of groceries can range between 86 EUR to 4,000 EUR. Individuals spend on average about 16% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 10% and 21% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for individuals

Cost of healthcare9%

9% of total expenses on average (3% to 13%)

LOW$53   49 EUR
AVERAGE$370   340 EUR
HIGH$2,500   2,300 EUR
Per Month

Individuals in Belgium allocate 3% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 49 EUR to 2,300 EUR with 340 EUR being the norm for most individuals.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for individuals

Cost of leisure and shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)

LOW$29   27 EUR
AVERAGE$210   190 EUR
HIGH$1,400   1,300 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 27 EUR to 1,300 EUR with 190 EUR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 4% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most individuals.

Education and schooling expenditure for individuals

Cost of education and schooling2%

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

LOW$12   11 EUR
AVERAGE$82   76 EUR
HIGH$550   500 EUR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different individuals. On average, education constitutes 2% of the monthly expenditure of individuals with 1% and 4% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 76 EUR per month with 11 EUR being the minimum spent amount and 500 EUR being the maximum.

Other Expenses18%

18% of total expenses on average (10% to 22%)

LOW$110   97 EUR
AVERAGE$740   680 EUR
HIGH$4,900   4,500 EUR
Per Month
Percentage of individuals who manage to save money from their income every month in Belgium

What percentage of individuals in Belgium are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of individuals that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
75%
Not Saving
25%

Almost 75% of surveyed individuals in Belgium said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 25% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


A single person savings to income ratio in Belgium

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.


How much money do individuals manage to add to their savings?

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.

Saving to Income Ratio

17% 28% of income 36%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

180 EUR
$190
1,600 EUR
$1,800
11,000 EUR
$12,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for individuals

Saving To Income Ratio% Individuals
0% - 10%26%
10% - 20%20%
20% - 30%15%
30% - 40%19%
40% - 50%15%
> 50%5%

Interpretation and Analysis

Individuals that are able to save money can put anywhere from 17% to 36% of their monthly income to their savings, with 28% being the average for most individuals. The average monthly amount of money that individuals can put aside is 1,600 EUR with 180 EUR and 11,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for individuals to save money in Belgium

Saving Challenges in Belgium

Reasons that make it difficult for individuals to save money

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


Reason% People
Low Income8%
High Expenses11%
Debt and Loans23%
Lack of Budgeting Skills9%
Impulsive Spending7%
Financial Emergencies5%
Living the moment8%
Will do it later13%
Inflation8%
Social Pressure4%
Market Instability4%

Around 8% of the individuals said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 11% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 23% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 9% 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. 7% of individuals blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 5% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 8% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 13% 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. 8% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 4% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 4% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do individuals choose to put their savings in Belgium

Typical saving choices for individuals in Belgium

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds9%
Gold7%
Savings Accounts18%
Retirement Accounts13%
Cash Savings11%
Real Estate11%
Investment7%
Stocks8%
Bonds8%
Mutual Funds4%
Certificates of Deposit4%
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 for individuals to live in Belgium

Affordable living in Belgium

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked individuals one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Belgium?


Yes
83%
No
17%

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

How easily is cost-cutting for individuals. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Belgium

Low-cost alternatives in Belgium

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 individuals 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 individuals living in Belgium 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.

Emergency Funds For Individuals

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

Yes81%

No19%


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

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for individuals in Belgium

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 individuals in 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 single people of Belgium 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%

Financial goals and targets of single people living in Belgium

Financial goals of individuals in Belgium

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Belgium, 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 Fund5%
Debt Reduction24%
Retirement Savings5%
Education Funding10%
Homeownership15%
Investing11%
Travel or Lifestyle15%
Healthcare Expenses4%
Financial Independence12%

Around 5% of individuals said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 24% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 5% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 10% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 15% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 11% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 15% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 4% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of individuals who are in debt in Belgium

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Belgium


Percentage of individuals who are in debt


In Debt
24%
Debt Free
76%

According to the survey, 24% of the individuals in Belgium 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 Belgium

Debt-to-income ratio in Belgium

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 a single person's monthly income in Belgium goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%2%
50% - 60%6%
40% - 50%8%
30% - 40%10%
20% - 30%20%
10% - 20%24%
0% - 10%30%

According to our data, 2% of the debtors in Belgium pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 6% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 8% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 10% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 20% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Belgium

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage18%
Auto Loan29%
Student Loan2%
Credit Card20%
Personal Loan31%

18% of debtors in Belgium confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 20% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 29% of people and personal loans rose at 31%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 2% of debtors in Belgium.


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 Belgium

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked individuals of Belgium 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
Never60%
Once a year20%
Twice a year10%
Three times a year7%
Four times a year3%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Belgium

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Belgium

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


Rent Cost in Belgium

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

500 EUR 750 EUR 2,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$540 $810 $2,200

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

750 EUR 1,200 EUR 3,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$810 $1,300 $3,300

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,000 EUR 1,500 EUR 4,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,100 $1,600 $4,300

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,200 EUR 2,000 EUR 5,500 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,300 $2,200 $5,900

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

2,400 EUR 6,000 EUR 12,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,600 $6,500 $13,000

Townhouse monthly rent cost

2,000 EUR 3,000 EUR 8,600 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,200 $3,300 $9,300

House monthly rent cost

2,400 EUR 6,000 EUR 12,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,600 $6,500 $13,000

Villa monthly rent cost

3,000 EUR 7,500 EUR 12,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3,300 $8,100 $13,000

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Belgium ranges between 500 EUR and 2,000 EUR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 750 EUR to 3,000 EUR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,000 EUR and 4,000 EUR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,200 EUR to 5,500 EUR. The average rent of a townhouse in Belgium is around 3,000 EUR while house rental costs can be as high as 6,000 EUR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 3,000 EUR to 12,000 EUR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Belgium

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

100,000 EUR 150,000 EUR 300,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110,000 $160,000 $330,000

1-bedroom apartment price

120,000 EUR 200,000 EUR 750,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130,000 $220,000 $810,000

2-bedroom apartment price

200,000 EUR 600,000 EUR 1.2M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$220,000 $650,000 $1.3M

3-bedroom apartment price

670,000 EUR 1,000,000 EUR 3M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$720,000 $1.1M $3.3M

Townhouse price

860,000 EUR 2M EUR 7.5M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$930,000 $2.2M $8.1M

House price

1,000,000 EUR 6M EUR 8.6M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1M $6.5M $9.3M

Villa price

1.2M EUR 6.7M EUR 10M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3M $7.2M $11M

The average price of a studio apartment in Belgium can range from 100,000 EUR to 300,000 EUR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 120,000 EUR to 750,000 EUR. A villa can cost you 6.7M EUR on average with prices ranging from 1.2M EUR to 10M EUR.


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


49 x147 monthly income 228
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Belgium can be x147 to x228 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x147 multiples of the average monthly salary in Belgium.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


25% 35% of income 45%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Belgium is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 25% to 45% 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.


8.4 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.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Belgium

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / A single person

32 EUR 230 EUR 1,500 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$35 $250 $1,600

Internet and cable cost

30 EUR 60 EUR 80 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$33 $65 $87

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 energy and water consumption of individuals is around 230 EUR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 30 EUR to 80 EUR with 60 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% 4% of income 8%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Belgium is around 4%. This means that people pay 4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1% to 8% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Belgium

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


Prices and cost of goods and services in Belgium

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

Fast food combo meal price

6 EUR 12 EUR 20 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.5 $13 $22

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Belgium is approximatly 12 EUR with meal cost ranging from 6 EUR to 20 EUR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

20 EUR 30 EUR 60 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $33 $65

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 20 EUR and 60 EUR with 30 EUR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Belgium.

Fine dining meal for one price

40 EUR 60 EUR 240 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$43 $65 $260

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 40 EUR to 240 EUR with the average cost being 60 EUR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Belgium.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

5 EUR 8 EUR 12 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.4 $8.7 $13

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Belgium is around 8 EUR. Price ranges between 5 EUR and 12 EUR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

4 EUR 4.8 EUR 6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.3 $5.2 $6.5

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Belgium is 4.8 EUR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 6 EUR and the minimum being 4 EUR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

3 EUR 4 EUR 6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $4.3 $6.5

A dozen eggs costs around 4 EUR on average with 3 EUR and 6 EUR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

6.8 EUR 8.8 EUR 13 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.4 $9.6 $14

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Belgium is between 6.8 EUR and 13 EUR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 8.8 EUR.

Pack of beef price

8 EUR 12 EUR 24 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8.7 $13 $26

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 12 EUR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

3.2 EUR 4.4 EUR 6.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.5 $4.8 $6.8

A bag of rice in Belgium costs around 4.4 EUR on average with prices rangeing between 3.2 EUR and 6.3 EUR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

1.2 EUR 1.6 EUR 3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3 $1.7 $3.3

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.2 EUR to 3 EUR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

2.1 EUR 2.8 EUR 4.6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3 $5

A bag of apples costs 2.8 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


16% 24% of income 30%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Belgium is around 24%. This means that individuals spend 24% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 16% to 30% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for individuals

Individuals' spending on grocery ranges from 86 EUR to 4,000 EUR with the location, income being the most determinite factors.

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