😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,254 in Antwerp versus $1,926 in Kortrijk.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,494 in Antwerp versus $2,743 in Kortrijk.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,733 in Antwerp versus $3,560 in Kortrijk.
🌍Living in Antwerp is roughly 17% more expensive than in Kortrijk, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Antwerp64% above, Kortrijk40% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.50€20.23
$22.47€19.33
4.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$110€94.4
$74.3€63.9
47.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.16€12.19
$11.68€10.05
21.23%
Cappuccino
$4.40€3.79
$3.12€2.68
41.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.82€3.29
$3.09€2.66
23.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.76€3.24
$2.79€2.40
34.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.65€4.87
$4.67€4.02
20.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.54€5.63
$3.39€2.92
92.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36€1.17
$1.25€1.08
8.80%
White Bread(500g)
$2.77€2.38
$1.82€1.56
52.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.34€2.01
$1.46€1.26
60.27%
Eggs
$3.77€3.24
$3.19€2.75
18.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.24€15.69
$12.15€10.46
50.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.53€10.78
$8.67€7.46
44.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$23.99€20.64
$15.25€13.12
57.31%
Apples(1kg)
$3.04€2.61
$2.23€1.92
36.32%
Banana(1kg)
$2.42€2.08
$2.05€1.76
18.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.80€2.41
$2.14€1.84
30.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.35€2.89
$2.00€1.72
67.50%
Potato(1kg)
$2.45€2.11
$1.98€1.70
23.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01€1.73
$1.78€1.53
12.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52€1.31
$1.58€1.36
-3.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.11€0.95
$0.78€0.67
42.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.31€11.46
$13.15€11.32
1.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.17€7.89
$7.38€6.35
24.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84€1.58
$2.15€1.85
-14.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09€1.80
$1.86€1.60
12.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.56€3.06
$2.99€2.57
19.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.5€48.65
$57.6€49.55
-1.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.77€4.96
$2.25€1.94
156.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.71€2.33
$2.37€2.04
14.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$45.88€39.48
$26.21€22.55
75.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.14€1.84
$1.94€1.67
10.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.4K€32.2K
$36.5K€31.4K
2.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.1K€30.2K
$35.1K€30.2K
0.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$215€185
$209€180
2.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.55€19.41
$18.54€15.95
21.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.51€41.74
$55.6€47.80
-12.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.38€33.88
$54.1€46.57
-27.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.36€24.41
$13.78€11.86
105.81%
Cinema Ticket
$15.53€13.36
$15.00€12.91
3.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,693€1,457
$430€370
294.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$34.1K€29.3K
$4,707€4,050
624.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$113€97.4
$58.0€49.87
95.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.5€46.00
$27.40€23.58
95.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107€92.4
$90.4€77.8
18.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$173€149
$106€91.3
62.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,081€930
$886€763
21.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$875€753
$758€652
15.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,676€1,443
$1,275€1,098
31.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,385€1,191
$1,033€889
34.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,573€3,935
$4,255€3,662
7.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,194€2,748
$2,308€1,986
38.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Antwerp
Kortrijk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,146€2,707
$2,954€2,542
6.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.46
3.9
-11.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Antwerp: August 31, 2026
Last update for Kortrijk: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,081 in Antwerp and $886 in Kortrijk. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Antwerp pays 6% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $110 in Antwerp vs $74.0 in Kortrijk for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $375 vs $271 per month, with Kortrijk cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Antwerp vs Kortrijk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Antwerp and in Kortrijk?
Antwerp and Kortrijk differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($2,254 vs $1,926 including rent). Kortrijk is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Antwerp or Kortrijk?
Average pay runs 6% higher in Antwerp, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Antwerp and in Kortrijk?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,081 in Antwerp versus $886 in Kortrijk. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Antwerp and in Kortrijk?
A monthly transit pass in Kortrijk runs roughly 2% less than in Antwerp. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Antwerp and Kortrijk?
Childcare runs $1,693 in Antwerp versus $430 in Kortrijk. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,926 in Kortrijk versus $2,254 in Antwerp, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kortrijk but tight or insufficient in Antwerp. The gap between the two cities makes Kortrijk the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Antwerp and Kortrijk?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Antwerp or Kortrijk safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Antwerp and Kortrijk are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Antwerp or Kortrijk?
Expats usually find Kortrijk gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Antwerp. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.