Cost of Living in Turnhout - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,868 monthly including rent, or $1,006 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,626 with rent, or $1,653 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,384 including rent, or $2,300 for daily expenses alone.

Turnhout sits 20–39% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are slightly above average (5%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.66 €15.20
$9.42 €8.11
$35.31 €30.40
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.8 €55.8
$35.33 €30.42
$141 €122
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.44 €9.85
$8.58 €7.39
$16.02 €13.79
Cappuccino
$3.68 €3.17
$2.90 €2.50
$5.24 €4.51
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 €2.52
$2.93 €2.52
$3.75 €3.23
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 €2.25
$2.32 €2.00
$3.49 €3.00
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.49 €3.01
$2.91 €2.50
$6.98 €6.01
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.64 €3.13
$3.41 €2.94
$5.69 €4.90
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.96 €0.83
$0.67 €0.57
$1.93 €1.66
White Bread (500g)
$2.11 €1.82
$1.18 €1.02
$3.44 €2.96
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.01 €2.59
$1.05 €0.90
$4.95 €4.26
Eggs
$3.59 €3.09
$2.27 €1.96
$5.69 €4.90
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.78 €10.14
$6.85 €5.90
$28.56 €24.59
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.34 €8.90
$8.78 €7.56
$17.56 €15.12
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.27 €14.87
$9.79 €8.43
$28.78 €24.78
Apples (1kg)
$2.69 €2.32
$1.50 €1.29
$4.19 €3.61
Banana (1kg)
$2.26 €1.95
$1.42 €1.22
$6.12 €5.27
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 €1.75
$1.42 €1.22
$3.97 €3.42
Tomato (1kg)
$2.55 €2.19
$1.29 €1.11
$4.50 €3.88
Potato (1kg)
$2.17 €1.87
$1.60 €1.38
$2.87 €2.47
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 €1.47
$0.81 €0.69
$2.35 €2.03
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 €0.97
$1.06 €0.92
$3.78 €3.26
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 €1.07
$0.36 €0.31
$2.35 €2.02
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.37 €6.35
$7.37 €6.35
$14.18 €12.21
Wine (Bottle)
$5.16 €4.44
$5.16 €4.44
$10.30 €8.87
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.31 €1.13
$0.80 €0.69
$3.46 €2.97
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20 €1.89
$1.04 €0.89
$3.57 €3.07
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.91 €2.50
$2.91 €2.50
$3.49 €3.01
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$57.1 €49.17
$26.23 €22.58
$57.1 €49.17
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.44 €5.54
$5.82 €5.01
$17.54 €15.10
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.63 €2.26
$2.63 €2.26
$2.83 €2.44
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.32 €30.41
$35.32 €30.41
$82.4 €71.0
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.86 €1.60
$1.81 €1.56
$2.23 €1.92
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K €26.0K
$28.4K €24.5K
$32.1K €27.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.0K €25.0K
$25.9K €22.3K
$37.2K €32.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$182 €157
$123 €106
$219 €189
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.76 €18.73
$17.44 €15.02
$34.89 €30.04
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.71 €41.08
$37.83 €32.57
$57.3 €49.35
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$75.2 €64.7
$23.14 €19.92
$127 €110
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.17 €14.78
$9.37 €8.07
$17.17 €14.78
Cinema Ticket
$13.66 €11.76
$11.38 €9.80
$20.49 €17.64
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$657 €566
$528 €454
$757 €652
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.5K €11.6K
$6,731 €5,794
$21.8K €18.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.7 €79.8
$86.9 €74.8
$126 €109
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.72 €28.17
$17.52 €15.09
$46.73 €40.23
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.0 €59.4
$57.5 €49.49
$138 €119
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 €97.7
$73.8 €63.5
$180 €155
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$820 €706
$703 €605
$937 €806
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$687 €592
$515 €444
$802 €690
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,056 €909
$921 €793
$1,267 €1,091
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$892 €768
$741 €638
$1,139 €981
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,777 €2,390
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2
2
4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $820 for a central one-bedroom, or $687 outside the center. At 30% of the average salary ($2,777), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,777, while typical expenses reach $1,868. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,802.

Expect to spend about $294 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $65.0 for two – broadly in line with the European average.

Public transport is priced at around $57.1 per month – roughly in line with the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Milk is cheaper than 96% of cities in Europe

Gym membership is more expensive than 95% of cities in Europe

Taxi is more expensive than 91% of cities in Europe

Turnhout Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Turnhout - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Turnhout affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare with nearby cities?
Turnhout presents a balanced value proposition in the Benelux region. In general, housing and daily costs are more approachable than in major hubs like Antwerp or Brussels, while still offering reliable services and a comfortable pace. Cost of Living in Turnhout is typically balanced, supporting a practical, walkable lifestyle with access to markets, cafés, and parks. If you plan ahead, you can keep groceries reasonable and find well-located rentals by focusing on neighborhoods a short bike ride from the center. Tip: Start with a short stay in a couple of areas to gauge daily costs and convenience.
What does day-to-day life look like in Turnhout in terms of housing, groceries, transport, coworking spaces, and errands?
Day-to-day life in Turnhout is practical and comfortable for most budgets. Housing search tends to focus on the center and nearby districts within walking reach of shops and transit, with more space and price relief a short ride away. Groceries, markets, and casual dining offer good value, especially when you shop at weekly markets or cook at home. Public transport and cycling provide reliable options for commuting to neighboring towns, and there are coworking spaces that suit freelancers and remote teams. Turnhout living cost shifts with the season and activity – plan for busy weekends when markets and events draw crowds. Tip: Map a few neighborhoods by commute time and amenities before you commit.
What factors contribute to quality of life in Turnhout, and how can you budget, pick neighborhoods, and adapt to seasonality?
Quality of life in Turnhout comes from a human-scale pace, reliable services, and approachable neighborhoods. To budget effectively, use a simple framework: set needs vs. wants, lock in a short-term base, then layer in discretionary uses like occasional dining out or cultural events. Seasonal patterns show busy markets in spring and summer, with calmer winter months that can favor home cooking and local cafes. For neighborhood fit, seek areas within easy walking reach of the town center if you value strollable days, or look to quieter outskirts if you want more space and nature access. Tip: test a few areas during different seasons to feel the vibe before signing a longer lease.
What are the monthly living expenses in Turnhout as of 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Turnhout come to around $1,868 including rent, or roughly $1,006 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
Is the cost of living in Turnhout reasonable?
At around $1,868 monthly all-in, Turnhout offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
How does the average salary in Turnhout compare to the cost of living?
At $2,777 take-home, most residents in Turnhout can cover the $1,868 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,802 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Turnhout per month?
Where you live in Turnhout makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $820; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $687. Overall, the market runs from $687 to $820 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
Is public transport affordable in Turnhout?
A monthly transit pass in Turnhout runs about $57.1, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
What should I budget for groceries in Turnhout?
At about $294 monthly, food costs in Turnhout sit in moderate territory. A mix of local markets and supermarkets covers most needs at fair prices, and most residents eat well without having to pinch pennies.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Turnhout?
Living on $3,000 in Turnhout means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,868. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What are the pros and cons of living in Turnhout?
Living in Turnhout means access to fast internet, low crime rates, clean air at about $1,868 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
How much can you save per month in Turnhout?
Monthly expenses in Turnhout run around $1,868, so putting money aside takes more than $2,802 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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