😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,253 in Antwerp versus $2,008 in Vilvoorde.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,400 in Antwerp versus $3,042 in Vilvoorde.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,547 in Antwerp versus $4,076 in Vilvoorde.
😐Living in Antwerp is roughly 12% more expensive than Vilvoorde, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Antwerp68% above, Vilvoorde50% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.57€20.18
$17.57€15.04
34.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$122€105
$93.4€79.9
30.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.95€11.09
$11.43€9.79
13.30%
Cappuccino
$4.26€3.65
$4.12€3.53
3.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45€2.96
$3.48€2.98
-0.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05€2.61
$3.18€2.73
-4.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.44€4.66
$4.89€4.18
11.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.62€3.95
$3.79€3.25
21.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36€1.16
$1.24€1.06
9.68%
White Bread(500g)
$2.80€2.40
$2.14€1.83
30.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.62€2.25
$2.31€1.97
13.42%
Eggs
$4.01€3.43
$3.50€3.00
14.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.02€15.42
$12.13€10.38
48.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.61€9.94
$11.98€10.26
-3.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.74€18.61
$17.43€14.92
24.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.90€2.48
$2.75€2.35
5.45%
Banana(1kg)
$2.38€2.03
$2.37€2.03
0.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.38€2.03
$2.03€1.73
17.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.33€2.85
$2.67€2.28
24.72%
Potato(1kg)
$2.99€2.56
$1.91€1.63
56.54%
Onion(1kg)
$2.45€2.10
$1.66€1.42
47.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43€1.22
$1.34€1.15
6.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88€0.76
$0.89€0.77
-1.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.93€11.06
$12.66€10.83
2.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.56€8.18
$9.28€7.94
3.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69€1.44
$2.02€1.73
-16.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96€1.68
$2.16€1.85
-9.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.93€2.51
$5.92€5.07
-50.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.52€38.11
$34.56€29.58
28.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.67€4.85
$6.45€5.52
-12.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.42€2.07
$2.65€2.27
-8.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$46.64€39.92
$34.60€29.62
34.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.93€1.65
$1.89€1.62
2.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.1K€30.9K
$29.9K€25.6K
21.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9K€28.1K
$37.5K€32.1K
-12.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$207€178
$232€198
-10.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.34€21.69
$21.75€18.62
16.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.0€44.49
$50.6€43.32
2.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.77€38.32
$26.18€22.41
71.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.20€21.57
$17.13€14.66
47.11%
Cinema Ticket
$14.88€12.74
$14.41€12.33
3.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$653€559
$648€555
0.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3K€11.4K
$13.7K€11.7K
-2.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109€93.2
$113€96.5
-3.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.48€41.50
$32.81€28.09
47.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$118€101
$107€91.8
10.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$233€199
$163€139
43.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,046€895
$877€751
19.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$857€734
$829€710
3.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,587€1,359
$1,404€1,202
13.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,292€1,106
$1,225€1,048
5.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,632€3,965
$3,103€2,657
49.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,214€2,751
$2,558€2,190
25.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Antwerp
Vilvoorde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,141€2,689
$3,896€3,335
-19.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.27
3.74
-12.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Antwerp: April 25, 2026
Last update for Vilvoorde: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,046 in Antwerp and $877 in Vilvoorde. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Vilvoorde pays 24% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $122 in Antwerp vs $93.0 in Vilvoorde for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $362 vs $313 per month, with Vilvoorde 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 Vilvoorde: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Antwerp and Vilvoorde?
Antwerp and Vilvoorde differ by about 12% in total monthly costs ($2,253 vs $2,008 including rent). Vilvoorde is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Vilvoorde earns 24% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Antwerp and Vilvoorde?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,046 in Antwerp versus $877 in Vilvoorde. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Antwerp and Vilvoorde?
A monthly transit pass in Vilvoorde runs roughly 29% 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 Vilvoorde?
Childcare runs $653 in Antwerp versus $648 in Vilvoorde. 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 $2,008 in Vilvoorde versus $2,253 in Antwerp, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Vilvoorde but tight or insufficient in Antwerp. The gap between the two cities makes Vilvoorde the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Antwerp and Vilvoorde?
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 Vilvoorde safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Antwerp and Vilvoorde 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 Vilvoorde?
Expats usually find Vilvoorde gentler on the wallet – expenses run 12% less than in Antwerp. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.