๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,931 in Dendermonde versus $2,600 in Brussels.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,929 in Dendermonde versus $3,882 in Brussels.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,926 in Dendermonde versus $5,164 in Brussels.
๐Living in Dendermonde costs roughly 26% less than in Brussels, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Dendermonde44% above, Brussels94% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.37โฌ14.82
$28.38โฌ24.21
-38.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.8โฌ78.3
$91.6โฌ78.1
0.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.47โฌ9.78
$14.81โฌ12.63
-22.55%
Cappuccino
$4.19โฌ3.57
$4.80โฌ4.09
-12.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44โฌ2.93
$3.12โฌ2.66
10.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48โฌ2.97
$2.88โฌ2.45
20.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.03โฌ4.29
$7.11โฌ6.07
-29.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.62โฌ3.08
$5.87โฌ5.01
-38.33%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37โฌ1.16
$1.47โฌ1.26
-6.80%
White Bread(500g)
$2.15โฌ1.83
$2.98โฌ2.54
-27.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.93โฌ2.50
$2.92โฌ2.49
0.34%
Eggs
$3.59โฌ3.06
$4.83โฌ4.12
-25.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.79โฌ10.06
$16.86โฌ14.38
-30.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.41โฌ11.44
$13.51โฌ11.53
-0.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.22โฌ14.68
$18.40โฌ15.69
-6.41%
Apples(1kg)
$2.66โฌ2.27
$3.01โฌ2.57
-11.63%
Banana(1kg)
$2.27โฌ1.93
$2.47โฌ2.10
-8.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08โฌ1.78
$2.73โฌ2.33
-23.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.66โฌ2.27
$3.24โฌ2.77
-17.90%
Potato(1kg)
$2.13โฌ1.82
$2.59โฌ2.21
-17.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.63โฌ1.39
$2.42โฌ2.06
-32.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52โฌ1.30
$1.73โฌ1.48
-12.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21โฌ1.04
$1.12โฌ0.95
8.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.67โฌ10.81
$12.52โฌ10.68
1.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.66โฌ6.53
$9.26โฌ7.90
-17.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34โฌ2.00
$2.60โฌ2.22
-10.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15โฌ1.84
$3.25โฌ2.77
-33.85%
๐ Getting Around
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.88โฌ2.46
$2.94โฌ2.51
-2.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$55.6โฌ47.44
$60.6โฌ51.7
-8.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.19โฌ5.28
$7.43โฌ6.34
-16.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.54โฌ2.17
$2.44โฌ2.08
4.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.67โฌ29.57
$34.88โฌ29.75
-0.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.84โฌ1.57
$1.85โฌ1.58
-0.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6Kโฌ26.1K
$34.7Kโฌ29.6K
-11.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.3Kโฌ24.2K
$35.4Kโฌ30.2K
-19.85%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$185โฌ158
$255โฌ217
-27.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.08โฌ18.83
$21.82โฌ18.61
1.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.53โฌ40.55
$56.1โฌ47.81
-15.20%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.43โฌ32.78
$41.20โฌ35.14
-6.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.08โฌ14.57
$31.04โฌ26.48
-44.97%
Cinema Ticket
$14.57โฌ12.43
$15.03โฌ12.82
-3.06%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$667โฌ569
$1,115โฌ951
-40.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3Kโฌ11.4K
$22.8Kโฌ19.4K
-41.44%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105โฌ89.4
$106โฌ90.7
-1.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.64โฌ27.84
$49.45โฌ42.18
-33.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.4โฌ80.5
$118โฌ101
-19.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133โฌ113
$153โฌ131
-13.37%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$906โฌ773
$1,307โฌ1,115
-30.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$757โฌ645
$1,085โฌ926
-30.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,377โฌ1,174
$2,325โฌ1,983
-40.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,104โฌ942
$1,810โฌ1,544
-39.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,572โฌ3,047
$4,985โฌ4,252
-28.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,138โฌ1,823
$3,738โฌ3,189
-42.82%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Dendermonde
Brussels
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,466โฌ2,957
$3,595โฌ3,067
-3.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.83
3.65
4.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dendermonde: April 20, 2026
Last update for Brussels: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $906 in Dendermonde and $1,307 in Brussels. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐBrussels 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.
๐Dining out: $92 in Dendermonde vs $92 in Brussels for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $325 vs $377 per month, with Dendermonde 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
Dendermonde vs Brussels: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dendermonde or Brussels?
Dendermonde wins on cost โ living expenses run 35% lower than in Brussels. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Dendermonde the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Dendermonde or Brussels?
On paper, Brussels earns 4% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Dendermonde vs Brussels?
Rent for a central apartment: $906 in Dendermonde versus $1,307 in Brussels. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Dendermonde or Brussels?
Supermarket bills run roughly 16% higher in Brussels. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Dendermonde vs Brussels?
Dining out is cheaper in Dendermonde โ a meal for two runs $92.0 versus $92.0 in Brussels. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Dendermonde or Brussels?
At $1,931 in Dendermonde versus $2,600 in Brussels, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Dendermonde but tight or insufficient in Brussels. The gap between the two cities makes Dendermonde the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Dendermonde or Brussels?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Dendermonde compared to Brussels?
Safety-wise, Dendermonde and Brussels 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 Dendermonde gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 35% less than in Brussels. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Dendermonde vs other spots: cost of living compared