Cost of Living in Waterloo - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,176 (excluding rent), and $2,475 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,970 (excluding rent), and $4,302 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Waterloo? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.56 €24.66
$13.71 €11.84
$39.99 €34.53
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$103 €89.1
$68.8 €59.4
$138 €119
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.77 €11.89
$11.47 €9.9
$17.21 €14.86
Cappuccino
$4.82 €4.16
$3.27 €2.82
$5.26 €4.54
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 €2.93
$3.39 €2.93
$3.96 €3.42
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.32 €2.87
$2.35 €2.03
$4.7 €4.06
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.75 €4.96
$4.02 €3.47
$7.47 €6.45
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.89 €5.09
$4.12 €3.56
$7.06 €6.1
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.54 €1.33
$0.7 €0.61
$1.78 €1.53
White Bread (500g)
$2.74 €2.36
$1.31 €1.13
$4.68 €4.04
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.28 €1.97
$1.13 €0.98
$4.52 €3.9
Eggs
$4.33 €3.73
$2.63 €2.27
$6.42 €5.54
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.93 €14.62
$8.37 €7.23
$58.9 €50.9
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.97 €11.2
$7.07 €6.11
$15.34 €13.24
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.82 €16.25
$7.55 €6.52
$27.89 €24.08
Apples (1kg)
$2.96 €2.56
$1.36 €1.18
$3.4 €2.94
Banana (1kg)
$2.34 €2.02
$1.63 €1.41
$4.5 €3.89
Oranges (1kg)
$2.77 €2.39
$1.78 €1.54
$3.55 €3.07
Tomato (1kg)
$3.17 €2.74
$1.19 €1.03
$7.12 €6.14
Potato (1kg)
$1.89 €1.63
$1.17 €1.01
$4.67 €4.03
Onion (1kg)
$2.13 €1.84
$1.18 €1.02
$3.52 €3.04
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.34 €1.15
$1.15 €0.99
$2.29 €1.97
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95 €0.82
$0.53 €0.46
$2.35 €2.03
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.68 €10.95
$10.03 €8.66
$14.16 €12.23
Wine (Bottle)
$8.51 €7.35
$5.87 €5.07
$19.95 €17.23
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 €1.67
$1.14 €0.99
$4.55 €3.93
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02 €2.61
$1.18 €1.02
$5.87 €5.07
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.84 €2.45
$2.84 €2.45
$3.41 €2.94
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.8 €45.61
$24.25 €20.94
$52.8 €45.61
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$7.46 €6.44
$4.59 €3.97
$17.22 €14.87
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.41 €2.08
$2.09 €1.81
$5.23 €4.51
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.16 €30.36
$28.13 €24.29
$69.1 €59.7
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.84 €1.59
$1.75 €1.51
$2.02 €1.74
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.9K €28.4K
$28.1K €24.2K
$36.9K €31.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7K €30.8K
$28.7K €24.8K
$38K €32.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 €197
$133 €115
$323 €279
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.25 €19.21
$14.05 €12.13
$29.27 €25.27
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.3 €44.27
$38.74 €33.45
$72.1 €62.2
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.78 €28.3
$28.92 €24.97
$34.7 €29.96
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.18 €15.69
$9.92 €8.56
$18.18 €15.69
Cinema Ticket
$15.03 €12.98
$9.25 €7.99
$20.8 €17.96
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$820 €708
$820 €708
$995 €859
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.3K €19.2K
$11.5K €9,941
$34.5K €29.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105 €90.3
$57.1 €49.28
$130 €112
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.72 €42.07
$17.24 €14.89
$80.5 €69.5
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 €98.6
$74 €63.9
$148 €128
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152 €131
$86.4 €74.6
$173 €149
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,070 €923
$1,031 €890
$1,146 €989
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,056 €912
$939 €811
$1,174 €1,013
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,551 €1,339
$1,259 €1,087
$1,856 €1,602
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$990 €854
$833 €720
$1,146 €989
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,541 €3,058
$3,246 €2,803
$4,739 €4,092
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,781 €2,401
$2,178 €1,881
$3,230 €2,788
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,553 €2,204
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.74
3
4
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
City tags:
Cost of Living in Waterloo - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Waterloo compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Waterloo offers a calm base with easy access to Brussels, appealing for travelers and remote workers who want lower noise and costs than the city center. The town’s compact, walkable layout, reliable services, and diverse dining options make daily life simple. Housing tends toward apartment living in friendly neighborhoods, often with good value relative to larger cities. For budgeting, you’ll appreciate flexible transit, local markets, and a mix of cafés and coworking spaces that reduce daily expenses while staying productive. Cost of Living in Waterloo tends to be approachable for longer stays when you prioritize local options over tourist spots. Tip: Start with a short-term stay in one neighborhood, then expand your search by rail to nearby towns.
What does a typical day look like in Waterloo for housing search, food, transport, and coworking?
On a typical day in Waterloo, you might start with a café breakfast, pick up fresh produce at a local market, then settle into a productive work session at a nearby coworking space or a quiet apartment desk. Housing searches usually happen through local listings or agency help, with proximity to the train station or a bus line guiding your choice. For meals, Belgian staples and international options sit within easy reach, and you’ll find bakeries ideal for quick lunches. Waterloo living cost tends to be predictable, helping you budget groceries, transit, and occasional outings. Transport links to Brussels are efficient, with cycling lanes and pleasant walking routes completing a comfortable routine. Tip: Keep a flexible plan and book longer tickets for regular trips.
What’s your recommended approach to quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit in Waterloo?
Quality of life in Waterloo depends on finding a neighborhood that matches your pace, whether you want easy rail access to Brussels, quiet residential streets, or proximity to parks and cafés. A practical budgeting framework blends housing, utilities, groceries, transport passes, and occasional social activities. Start with a shortlist of neighborhoods by walkability, access to a station, and noise levels at different times of day; visit at weekends and evenings to sense rhythm. Seasonality matters: summers bring outdoor markets and longer daylight, winters favor indoor options like libraries and coworking venues. Tip: use a two- to three-month trial to compare neighborhoods before committing to a longer lease.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.