Cost of Living in Diest - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,088 (excluding rent), and $2,097 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,813 (excluding rent), and $4,177 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.78 €19.67
$15.94 €13.77
$34.17 €29.5
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$92.5 €79.8
$69.3 €59.9
$150 €130
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.37 €10.68
$12.34 €10.66
$12.4 €10.71
Cappuccino
$3.67 €3.17
$3.26 €2.82
$4.08 €3.52
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32 €2.87
$2.83 €2.45
$3.97 €3.43
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 €2.97
$2.56 €2.21
$3.85 €3.32
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.69 €4.91
$3.55 €3.07
$7.11 €6.13
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.66 €4.02
$3.49 €3.01
$5.82 €5.03
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.32 €1.14
$0.88 €0.76
$2.33 €2.01
White Bread (500g)
$2.86 €2.47
$1.76 €1.52
$4.69 €4.05
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.54 €2.19
$1.18 €1.02
$4.13 €3.57
Eggs
$4.17 €3.6
$2.72 €2.35
$6.51 €5.62
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.76 €15.34
$8.85 €7.64
$29.5 €25.47
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.45 €9.89
$8.07 €6.97
$14.99 €12.94
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$21.2 €18.31
$10.32 €8.91
$28.65 €24.73
Apples (1kg)
$2.64 €2.28
$1.47 €1.27
$3.18 €2.75
Banana (1kg)
$2.42 €2.09
$1.7 €1.47
$2.93 €2.53
Oranges (1kg)
$2.34 €2.02
$1.69 €1.46
$3.51 €3.03
Tomato (1kg)
$3 €2.59
$1.77 €1.53
$5.96 €5.15
Potato (1kg)
$2.12 €1.83
$1.14 €0.98
$3.39 €2.93
Onion (1kg)
$2.06 €1.78
$1.25 €1.08
$2.59 €2.24
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 €1.26
$1.17 €1.01
$2.34 €2.02
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89 €0.77
$0.44 €0.38
$1.68 €1.45
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.54 €9.96
$9.45 €8.16
$12.59 €10.87
Wine (Bottle)
$8.27 €7.14
$5.71 €4.93
$11.41 €9.85
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.7 €1.47
$1.14 €0.99
$2.27 €1.96
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 €1.81
$1.23 €1.06
$3.07 €2.65
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.96 €2.56
$2.96 €2.56
$3.56 €3.07
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$61.8 €53.4
$28.39 €24.51
$61.8 €53.4
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.94 €5.13
$5.29 €4.56
$14.26 €12.31
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.83 €2.45
$2.37 €2.04
$3.55 €3.07
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$39.64 €34.23
$39.03 €33.7
$61 €52.7
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.86 €1.61
$1.82 €1.57
$2.04 €1.76
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K €29.4K
$29K €25K
$36.9K €31.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5K €27.2K
$28.8K €24.9K
$36.4K €31.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$202 €175
$146 €126
$320 €276
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.5 €22.02
$17.66 €15.25
$35.32 €30.49
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.4 €44.39
$40.49 €34.96
$72.1 €62.2
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.33 €33.96
$28.32 €24.45
$59 €50.9
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.91 €14.6
$9.23 €7.97
$16.91 €14.6
Cinema Ticket
$15.07 €13.02
$12.75 €11.01
$17.39 €15.01
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$610 €526
$259 €223
$690 €596
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.1K €10.4K
$10.4K €8,944
$12.4K €10.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 €90.1
$57 €49.2
$131 €113
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.07 €42.37
$17.37 €14.99
$81 €70
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 €92.9
$75.2 €64.9
$150 €130
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$159 €137
$116 €100
$232 €201
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$900 €777
$750 €647
$1,154 €996
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$744 €642
$630 €544
$916 €791
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,380 €1,191
$1,120 €967
$1,651 €1,425
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,086 €938
$915 €790
$1,258 €1,086
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,939 €3,401
$3,150 €2,720
$4,599 €3,971
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,082 €2,661
$2,414 €2,084
$3,579 €3,090
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,221 €1,918
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.42
2
4
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Diest - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Diest for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare overall?
Cost of Living in Diest, Belgium sits between the high-capital hubs and more rural towns, offering a comfortable middle ground for a small city. Housing choices range from central rentals to quieter outskirts, with value often tied to location and building type. Daily costs for groceries, meals, and services align with regional patterns, and public transport connects you to larger cities for occasional splurges. For digital nomads, you may find short-term stays and flexible leases a good fit, especially near transit links. Seasonal tourism and local markets can shift prices mildly, but practical day-to-day living remains accessible. Tip: Plan your housing early and use a mix of walking and transit to stretch your budget.
What does daily life look like in Diest, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Daily life in Diest blends a relaxed pace with accessible amenities. When housing, start near the Markt and historic lanes to enjoy walkability, then widen your search to leafy suburbs for space and steadier rents. Food options range from traditional bakeries and markets to cozy cafés that welcome remote work with reliable Wi-Fi. Transport is practical: compact town size supports biking and walking, while regional trains and buses open doors to larger cities for exploration or errands. For work routines, look for small coworking spaces or flexible desks in nearby towns if you want a hub. Diest, Belgium living cost varies with location, so plan ahead. Tip: schedule visits at different times of day to gauge noise and foot traffic.
What factors influence quality of life and budgeting in Diest, and how can you save while enjoying the local neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Diest shines through walkable streets, access to nature along the Dino (Dijle) river area, and a compact downtown that keeps errands efficient. A practical budgeting approach centers on predictable recurring costs like housing, utilities, and groceries, with room for seasonal variation in heating and electricity. You can save by shopping at local markets, taking advantage of cycling, and choosing accommodations with good insulation. Neighborhood fit matters: the historic center suits those who value proximity and culture, while greener outskirts are calmer and more spacious. Tip: map a two- or three-neighborhood plan to compare vibe and commute before deciding.
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