Belgium🇧🇪
At a Glance
How Belgium compares across key indices
Cost of Living
67 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
51/100
Healthcare
76/100
Quality of Life
175/200
Climate
87/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Belgium
Cost of Living
67
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
22
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
66
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
79
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Leuven
Cheapest$2,085/mo
Antwerp
$2,193/mo
Gent
$2,291/mo
Brussels
$2,461/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Belgium — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
51/100
Crime Index
49/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
69/100
Crime perceived as increasing
Walking Safety
28 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 1,699 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Belgium
Belgium has 5 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $2,085 in Leuven to $2,461 in Brussels. Gent leads on safety, scoring 75/100. Gent ranks highest for quality of life at 202/200.
Leuven
$2,085/mo
Gent
75/100
Gent
202/200
Gent
80/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leuven | $2,085 | — | — | — | — |
| Antwerp | $2,193 | 60/100 | 168/200 | 80/100 | 58 |
| Gent | $2,291 | 75/100 | 202/200 | 80/100 | 36 |
| Brussels | $2,461 | 44/100 | 161/200 | 74/100 | 62 |
| Liege | — | 42/100 | — | — | — |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Belgium
Healthcare Index
76/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 299 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
ModerateAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Belgium
Pollution Index
49/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 449 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Belgium
Average One-Way Commute
33minutes
Average
Traffic Index
126
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
173
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
4.0kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 254 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Belgium, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Belgium?
Belgium has a cost of living index of 67 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,085 in Leuven and reach $2,461 in Brussels.
What is the cheapest city in Belgium for expats?
Leuven is the most affordable city in Belgium with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $2,085 for a single person including rent. Antwerp is the next most affordable at $2,193/mo.
Is Belgium safe for expats?
Belgium has a safety index of 51/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Gent scores highest on safety at 75/100.
What is the best city in Belgium for expats and digital nomads?
Gent ranks highest for quality of life in Belgium, scoring 202/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,291/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Leuven offers the lowest monthly costs at $2,085/mo.
How good is healthcare in Belgium?
Belgium scores 76/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it excellent by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Belgium cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Belgium's cost of living is roughly 33% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 78% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
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