😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,517 in Brussels versus $1,740 in Oudsbergen.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,814 in Brussels versus $2,583 in Oudsbergen.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,112 in Brussels versus $3,426 in Oudsbergen.
😐Living in Brussels is roughly 45% more expensive than Oudsbergen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Brussels88% above, Oudsbergen30% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.73€24.59
$17.89€15.32
60.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.9€77.8
$69.2€59.3
31.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.81€12.67
$8.83€7.56
67.72%
Cappuccino
$4.75€4.06
$2.93€2.51
62.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16€2.71
$2.48€2.12
27.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02€2.58
$2.50€2.14
20.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.11€6.08
$4.21€3.61
68.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.72€4.90
$4.26€3.65
34.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47€1.26
$1.02€0.88
44.12%
White Bread(500g)
$3.01€2.58
$2.52€2.16
19.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.80€2.40
$1.47€1.26
90.48%
Eggs
$4.82€4.12
$1.66€1.42
190.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.73€14.32
$17.19€14.71
-2.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.67€11.70
$10.57€9.05
29.33%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.85€16.14
$18.58€15.91
1.45%
Apples(1kg)
$3.05€2.61
$1.93€1.65
58.03%
Banana(1kg)
$2.46€2.10
$2.33€2.00
5.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.68€2.29
$1.41€1.21
90.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.29€2.81
$1.41€1.21
133.33%
Potato(1kg)
$2.65€2.27
$2.97€2.54
-10.77%
Onion(1kg)
$2.43€2.08
$0.77€0.66
215.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.66€1.42
$1.19€1.02
39.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12€0.96
$0.83€0.71
34.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.60€10.79
$9.33€7.99
35.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.12€7.81
$9.23€7.90
-1.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.59€2.21
$1.70€1.45
52.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28€2.81
$1.93€1.66
69.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.96€2.53
$2.85€2.44
3.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.3€50.8
$57.6€49.33
2.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$7.42€6.35
$2.77€2.37
167.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.42€2.07
$1.12€0.96
116.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.98€29.94
$34.35€29.41
1.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.86€1.59
$1.94€1.66
-4.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K€29.5K
$36.0K€30.8K
-4.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.6K€30.4K
$32.5K€27.8K
9.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$264€226
$87.6€75.0
201.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.23€18.17
$25.38€21.73
-16.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.5€48.37
$52.2€44.68
8.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.91€35.02
$31.71€27.14
29.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.02€26.56
$16.92€14.49
83.33%
Cinema Ticket
$14.78€12.65
$14.71€12.59
0.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,110€950
$278€238
299.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.1K€18.9K
$8,720€7,464
153.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104€89.3
$56.3€48.21
85.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.85€42.67
$41.22€35.28
20.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114€97.5
$70.0€60.0
62.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152€130
$91.3€78.1
66.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,329€1,137
$907€776
46.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,080€924
$757€648
42.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,304€1,972
$1,346€1,152
71.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,755€1,503
$1,109€950
58.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,099€4,365
$3,408€2,917
49.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,823€3,272
$2,543€2,177
50.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brussels
Oudsbergen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,553€3,041
$3,400€2,910
4.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.65
2.83
28.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Brussels: April 26, 2026
Last update for Oudsbergen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,329 in Brussels and $907 in Oudsbergen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Brussels pays 4% 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: $91.0 in Brussels vs $69.0 in Oudsbergen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $378 vs $301 per month, with Oudsbergen 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
Brussels vs Oudsbergen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Brussels or Oudsbergen?
Oudsbergen wins on cost – living expenses run 45% lower than in Brussels. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Oudsbergen the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Brussels or Oudsbergen?
Brussels pays 4% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Brussels vs Oudsbergen?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,329 in Brussels versus $907 in Oudsbergen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Brussels or Oudsbergen?
Supermarket bills run roughly 26% higher in Brussels. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Brussels vs Oudsbergen?
Dining out is cheaper in Oudsbergen – a meal for two runs $69.0 versus $91.0 in Brussels. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Brussels or Oudsbergen?
At $1,740 in Oudsbergen versus $2,517 in Brussels, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Oudsbergen but tight or insufficient in Brussels. The gap between the two cities makes Oudsbergen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Brussels or Oudsbergen?
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.
How safe is Brussels compared to Oudsbergen?
Safety-wise, Brussels and Oudsbergen are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Oudsbergen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 45% less than in Brussels. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.