Prices and Cost of Living in Belgium

Food and beverage prices in Belgium

Popular food products found on store shelves in Belgium include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 1.17 EUR (1.23 USD) for a kilo of onions to 16.8 EUR (17.73 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 1.94 EUR (2.05 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 1.99 EUR (2.1 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 1.52 EUR (1.6 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 2.26 EUR (2.38 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 0.98 EUR (1.03 USD). Dairy prices in Belgium, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 1.13 EUR (1.19 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 13.8 EUR (14.56 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 9.61 EUR (10.14 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 3 EUR (3.17 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 2.6 EUR (2.74 USD) per kilo.

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in Belgium vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 3.35 EUR (3.53 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 2.37 EUR (2.5 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 9 EUR (9.5 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 70 EUR (73.86 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 15 EUR (15.83 USD).

How much does transportation cost in Belgium?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 2.5 EUR (2.64 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 50 EUR (52.76 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 4.9 EUR (5.17 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 2 EUR (2.11 USD).

Fuel prices in Belgium

Average fuel prices in Belgium are 1.66 EUR (1.75 USD) per liter of gasoline and 1.73 EUR (1.82 USD) per liter of diesel. A liter of LPG autogas costs 0.87 EUR (0.92 USD).

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Belgium?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in Belgium varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 796 EUR (840 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 968 EUR (1021 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 3906 EUR (4122 USD) per square meter.