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Cost of Living in Brussels

Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium · Population 1,249,597 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Belgium average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)€1,215 ($1,321)
Couple, monthly€2,201 ($2,393)
Family of four, monthly€2,890 ($3,142)

Estimated Prices in Brussels

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant€11.48 ($12.48)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range€45.93 ($49.92)per meal
Cappuccino€3.44 ($3.74)each
Monthly groceries (single person)€260 ($283)per month
Monthly public transport pass€42.10 ($45.76)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment€111 ($121)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)€32.15 ($34.94)per month
Fitness club membership€32.15 ($34.94)per month
Cinema ticket€8.42 ($9.15)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre€646 ($702)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre€450 ($489)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre€1,349 ($1,466)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Brussels is €3,708 ($4,030) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €1,215 ($1,321) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,579 ($1,717) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€450 ($489)) represents about 37% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Brussels

Brussels vs AntwerpBrussels vs GentBrussels vs CharleroiBrussels vs LiègeBrussels vs SchaarbeekBrussels vs Anderlecht

Nearby Cities

Anderlecht

1 km away · Brussels-Capital Region

Saint-Gilles

1 km away · Brussels-Capital Region

Ixelles

2 km away · Brussels-Capital Region

Sint-Jans-Molenbeek

2 km away · Brussels-Capital Region

Forest

3 km away · Brussels-Capital Region

Koekelberg

3 km away · Brussels-Capital Region

Sint-Joost-ten-Node

3 km away · Brussels-Capital Region

Moortebeek

4 km away · Flanders

Other Major Cities in Belgium

Antwerp

Flanders · pop. 565,039

€972 ($1,057) / mo

Gent

Flanders · pop. 272,657

€972 ($1,057) / mo

Charleroi

Wallonia · pop. 204,322

€913 ($992) / mo

Liège

Wallonia · pop. 195,278

€913 ($992) / mo

Schaarbeek

Brussels-Capital Region · pop. 132,799

€913 ($992) / mo

Anderlecht

Brussels-Capital Region · pop. 120,887

€913 ($992) / mo

Bruges

Flanders · pop. 118,509

€913 ($992) / mo

Namur

Wallonia · pop. 115,330

€913 ($992) / mo

Living in Brussels

Brussels is the capital and one of the key cities in Belgium. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €1,215 ($1,321), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €450 ($489) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,890 ($3,142) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €2,201 ($2,393) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Brussels is €3,708 ($4,030). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,579 ($1,717) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brussels expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated €1,215 ($1,321) per month in Brussels including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Belgium.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Brussels?
A net salary of around €1,579 ($1,717) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Brussels with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Brussels is €3,708 ($4,030).
How much is rent in Brussels?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated €646 ($702) per month in the city centre and €450 ($489) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about €1,349 ($1,466).
Is Brussels cheaper than Belgium on average?
No — Brussels is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Belgium average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Brussels?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at €260 ($283) in Brussels. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €11 ($12) and a cappuccino runs around €3 ($4).
How do transport costs in Brussels compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Brussels is estimated at €42 ($46). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Brussels are estimates based on Belgium national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,249,597) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.