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Cost of living in Belgium in 2026

Cheryl

Hello everyone,

Every year, we invite you to share your experiences with the cost of living in Belgium, especially in the region or city you live in. Your insights will greatly help members planning their move to Belgium or already living there.

Here are some points to guide you; the idea is to provide average prices for each category:

What is the cost of renting or buying an apartment or house in Belgium?

What are the typical fares for public transportation such as buses, subways, trains, trams, or taxis?

Could you share the average monthly cost of your grocery shopping?

How much does health insurance cost? What is the price of a medical consultation in Belgium?

What are the tuition fees for children?

What are the average monthly costs for utilities, such as electricity, gas, water, internet, and phone plans?

How much do you spend monthly on leisure activities?

If there are other expenses you find relevant, please feel free to share them!

Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
´ó¿§¸£ÀûÓ°Ôº Team

See also

Living in Belgium: the expat guideCost of living in BelgiumCost of living in Belgium – 2015Cost of living in Belgium - 2017Cost of living 2018 in BelgiumCost of Living in Belgium in 2020Cost of living in Belgium in 2022
MathieuGourmand

I lived in Brussels between 2003 and 2011 and found the cost of living interestingly balanced:

rent was relatively affordable compared to other Western European capitals, but groceries and everyday food items were noticeably more expensive than in neighbouring Germany at the time.


From that experience, I can definitely see how everyday costs can vary widely even within relatively small geographic areas.


Having since moved to Geneva, I’ve noticed a further shift: here in Switzerland rent and housing costs are significantly higher than what I experienced in Brussels back then, while food prices also tend to be on the pricey side, especially for imported or restaurant meals.


It’s fascinating to compare how housing and living expenses evolve regionally and over time, and I hope this perspective helps anyone looking at cost of living across different European cities.