Cost of Living & Quality of Life in Belgium (2026)
What everyday life costs in Belgium — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Western Europe.
- Quality of Life Index
- 156.5
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 50.8
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 75.3
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $952/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $18.16
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $2,799
- 2023
Quality of life trends in Belgium
Typical living costs in Belgium
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $952/mo | 2023 | +7.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $839/mo | 2023 | +11.2% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $1,543/mo | 2023 | +14.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $229/mo | 2023 | +6.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $54.40/mo | 2023 | +5.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $22.96/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $18.16 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $83.94 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $3.75 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $53.94 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.88 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $36.25/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $587/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $2,799 | 2023 | +7.9% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 156.5 | 2024 | -0.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 50.8 | 2024 | -0.2% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 75.3 | 2024 | +0.1% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 49.7 | 2024 | -0.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 86 | 2024 | ±0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 156.5 | 50.8 | 75.3 | 49.7 | 86 |
| 2023 | 157.3 | 50.9 | 75.2 | 50.1 | 86 |
| 2022 | 151.9 | 54.6 | 75.5 | 50.1 | 86 |
| 2021 | 150.9 | 55.8 | 75.2 | 50.3 | 86 |
| 2020 | 153.5 | 56 | 74.3 | 52.9 | 86 |
| 2019 | 162.1 | 57.5 | 79.4 | 49.9 | 86 |
| 2018 | 164 | 57.8 | 80.4 | 48.9 | 86.1 |
| 2017 | 160.5 | 55.5 | 78.9 | 48.9 | 75.2 |
Belgium compared with Western Europe
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 156.5 | 50.8 | 75.3 | $18.16 | $952/mo |
| Austria | 181.5 | 70.7 | 76.6 | $16.51 | $901/mo |
| France | 152 | 44.7 | 78.1 | $15.41 | $923/mo |
| Germany | 176.5 | 61.1 | 71.7 | $13.76 | $1,058/mo |
| Luxembourg | 207.3 | 65.6 | 76.3 | $22.02 | $1,807/mo |
| Netherlands | 198.5 | 73.7 | 78.9 | $18.44 | $931/mo |
| Switzerland | 186.7 | 74.7 | 72.6 | $29.26 | $2,036/mo |
Related
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.