๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,257 in Gent versus $1,931 in Dendermonde.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,445 in Gent versus $2,929 in Dendermonde.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,634 in Gent versus $3,926 in Dendermonde.
๐Living in Gent is roughly 17% more expensive than Dendermonde, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both cities are pricier than the global median: Gent68% above, Dendermonde44% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.09โฌ19.70
$17.37โฌ14.82
32.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$116โฌ98.7
$91.8โฌ78.3
26.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.05โฌ11.99
$11.47โฌ9.78
22.49%
Cappuccino
$4.27โฌ3.65
$4.19โฌ3.57
1.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40โฌ2.90
$3.44โฌ2.93
-1.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32โฌ2.83
$3.48โฌ2.97
-4.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.76โฌ4.91
$5.03โฌ4.29
14.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.65โฌ4.82
$3.62โฌ3.08
56.08%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28โฌ1.09
$1.37โฌ1.16
-6.57%
White Bread(500g)
$2.63โฌ2.24
$2.15โฌ1.83
22.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.32โฌ1.98
$2.93โฌ2.50
-20.82%
Eggs
$4.19โฌ3.57
$3.59โฌ3.06
16.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.46โฌ14.89
$11.79โฌ10.06
48.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.63โฌ9.92
$13.41โฌ11.44
-13.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.51โฌ15.79
$17.22โฌ14.68
7.49%
Apples(1kg)
$3.01โฌ2.56
$2.66โฌ2.27
13.16%
Banana(1kg)
$2.44โฌ2.08
$2.27โฌ1.93
7.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.62โฌ2.23
$2.08โฌ1.78
25.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.16โฌ2.69
$2.66โฌ2.27
18.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.85โฌ1.58
$2.13โฌ1.82
-13.15%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11โฌ1.80
$1.63โฌ1.39
29.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34โฌ1.14
$1.52โฌ1.30
-11.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91โฌ0.78
$1.21โฌ1.04
-24.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.91โฌ11.02
$12.67โฌ10.81
1.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.44โฌ8.06
$7.66โฌ6.53
23.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94โฌ1.66
$2.34โฌ2.00
-17.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91โฌ2.48
$2.15โฌ1.84
35.35%
๐ Getting Around
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.83โฌ2.41
$2.88โฌ2.46
-1.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$57.6โฌ49.09
$55.6โฌ47.44
3.51%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$10.87โฌ9.27
$6.19โฌ5.28
75.61%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.62โฌ2.24
$2.54โฌ2.17
3.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$54.3โฌ46.30
$34.67โฌ29.57
56.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.86โฌ1.58
$1.84โฌ1.57
1.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.2Kโฌ29.1K
$30.6Kโฌ26.1K
11.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.4Kโฌ31.9K
$28.3Kโฌ24.2K
31.97%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$230โฌ196
$185โฌ158
24.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.19โฌ19.78
$22.08โฌ18.83
5.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.4โฌ43.01
$47.53โฌ40.55
6.08%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.04โฌ29.89
$38.43โฌ32.78
-8.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.53โฌ11.54
$17.08โฌ14.57
-20.78%
Cinema Ticket
$16.33โฌ13.93
$14.57โฌ12.43
12.08%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$581โฌ496
$667โฌ569
-12.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.0Kโฌ16.2K
$13.3Kโฌ11.4K
42.39%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$111โฌ94.3
$105โฌ89.4
5.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.5โฌ45.60
$32.64โฌ27.84
63.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106โฌ90.4
$94.4โฌ80.5
12.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$165โฌ140
$133โฌ113
24.02%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,047โฌ893
$906โฌ773
15.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$916โฌ781
$757โฌ645
21.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,763โฌ1,504
$1,377โฌ1,174
28.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,439โฌ1,227
$1,104โฌ942
30.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,556โฌ4,740
$3,572โฌ3,047
55.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,187โฌ2,719
$2,138โฌ1,823
49.11%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Gent
Dendermonde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,345โฌ2,854
$3,466โฌ2,957
-3.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.74
3.83
-2.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gent: April 21, 2026
Last update for Dendermonde: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,047 in Gent and $906 in Dendermonde. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐDendermonde pays 4% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
๐Dining out: $116 in Gent vs $92 in Dendermonde for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $348 vs $325 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
Gent vs Dendermonde: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Gent and Dendermonde?
Gent and Dendermonde differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($2,257 vs $1,931 including rent). Dendermonde is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Dendermonde 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 do apartment prices compare in Gent and Dendermonde?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,047 in Gent versus $906 in Dendermonde. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Gent and Dendermonde?
A monthly transit pass in Dendermonde runs roughly 4% less than in Gent. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Gent and Dendermonde?
Childcare runs $581 in Gent versus $667 in Dendermonde. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,931 in Dendermonde versus $2,257 in Gent, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Dendermonde but tight or insufficient in Gent. The gap between the two cities makes Dendermonde the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Gent and Dendermonde?
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.
Is Gent or Dendermonde safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Gent and Dendermonde 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: Gent or Dendermonde?
Expats usually find Dendermonde gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 17% less than in Gent. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.