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Cost of Living in Waterloo - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,039 (excluding rent), and $2,404 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,391 (excluding rent), and $4,392 including rent.
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๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.48 โ‚ฌ24.55
$13.67 โ‚ฌ11.79
$39.88 โ‚ฌ34.38
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$105 โ‚ฌ90.9
$70.3 โ‚ฌ60.6
$141 โ‚ฌ121
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.97 โ‚ฌ12.05
$11.64 โ‚ฌ10.03
$17.47 โ‚ฌ15.06
Cappuccino
$4.76 โ‚ฌ4.10
$3.23 โ‚ฌ2.79
$5.20 โ‚ฌ4.48
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48 โ‚ฌ3.00
$3.48 โ‚ฌ3.00
$4.07 โ‚ฌ3.51
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 โ‚ฌ2.77
$2.27 โ‚ฌ1.95
$4.54 โ‚ฌ3.92
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.86 โ‚ฌ5.05
$4.10 โ‚ฌ3.53
$7.61 โ‚ฌ6.56
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.91 โ‚ฌ5.09
$4.13 โ‚ฌ3.56
$7.08 โ‚ฌ6.10
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 โ‚ฌ1.32
$0.70 โ‚ฌ0.60
$1.76 โ‚ฌ1.52
White Bread (500g)
$2.68 โ‚ฌ2.31
$1.29 โ‚ฌ1.11
$4.58 โ‚ฌ3.95
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.39 โ‚ฌ2.06
$1.19 โ‚ฌ1.02
$4.73 โ‚ฌ4.08
Eggs
$4.23 โ‚ฌ3.64
$2.57 โ‚ฌ2.22
$6.28 โ‚ฌ5.41
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.81 โ‚ฌ14.49
$8.31 โ‚ฌ7.16
$58.5 โ‚ฌ50.4
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.68 โ‚ฌ10.93
$6.91 โ‚ฌ5.96
$14.99 โ‚ฌ12.92
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.46 โ‚ฌ15.91
$7.40 โ‚ฌ6.38
$27.35 โ‚ฌ23.58
Apples (1kg)
$3.07 โ‚ฌ2.64
$1.41 โ‚ฌ1.22
$3.53 โ‚ฌ3.04
Banana (1kg)
$2.46 โ‚ฌ2.12
$1.71 โ‚ฌ1.48
$4.72 โ‚ฌ4.07
Oranges (1kg)
$2.68 โ‚ฌ2.31
$1.72 โ‚ฌ1.48
$3.43 โ‚ฌ2.96
Tomato (1kg)
$3.12 โ‚ฌ2.69
$1.17 โ‚ฌ1.01
$7.01 โ‚ฌ6.04
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 โ‚ฌ1.65
$1.19 โ‚ฌ1.03
$4.75 โ‚ฌ4.10
Onion (1kg)
$2.14 โ‚ฌ1.84
$1.18 โ‚ฌ1.02
$3.53 โ‚ฌ3.04
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.39 โ‚ฌ1.20
$1.19 โ‚ฌ1.03
$2.38 โ‚ฌ2.05
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97 โ‚ฌ0.84
$0.54 โ‚ฌ0.47
$2.41 โ‚ฌ2.07
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.39 โ‚ฌ10.68
$9.80 โ‚ฌ8.45
$13.83 โ‚ฌ11.92
Wine (Bottle)
$9.22 โ‚ฌ7.94
$5.79 โ‚ฌ4.99
$17.38 โ‚ฌ14.98
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.00 โ‚ฌ1.72
$1.18 โ‚ฌ1.01
$4.70 โ‚ฌ4.05
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05 โ‚ฌ2.63
$1.19 โ‚ฌ1.02
$5.93 โ‚ฌ5.11
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.92 โ‚ฌ2.52
$2.92 โ‚ฌ2.52
$3.50 โ‚ฌ3.02
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.9 โ‚ฌ49.03
$26.12 โ‚ฌ22.51
$56.9 โ‚ฌ49.03
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$7.64 โ‚ฌ6.59
$4.71 โ‚ฌ4.06
$17.64 โ‚ฌ15.21
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.41 โ‚ฌ2.08
$2.10 โ‚ฌ1.81
$5.23 โ‚ฌ4.51
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.47 โ‚ฌ29.71
$27.58 โ‚ฌ23.77
$67.8 โ‚ฌ58.4
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.83 โ‚ฌ1.58
$1.74 โ‚ฌ1.50
$2.00 โ‚ฌ1.73
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8K โ‚ฌ29.2K
$28.8K โ‚ฌ24.8K
$37.8K โ‚ฌ32.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.4K โ‚ฌ30.5K
$28.5K โ‚ฌ24.6K
$37.7K โ‚ฌ32.5K
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$228 โ‚ฌ196
$132 โ‚ฌ114
$322 โ‚ฌ278
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.74 โ‚ฌ18.74
$13.73 โ‚ฌ11.84
$28.60 โ‚ฌ24.65
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 โ‚ฌ44.35
$38.88 โ‚ฌ33.51
$72.3 โ‚ฌ62.4
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.31 โ‚ฌ28.71
$29.39 โ‚ฌ25.33
$35.27 โ‚ฌ30.40
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.15 โ‚ฌ14.78
$9.36 โ‚ฌ8.07
$17.15 โ‚ฌ14.78
Cinema Ticket
$15.08 โ‚ฌ13.00
$9.28 โ‚ฌ8.00
$20.87 โ‚ฌ17.99
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$825 โ‚ฌ711
$825 โ‚ฌ711
$1,002 โ‚ฌ864
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.8K โ‚ฌ19.6K
$11.8K โ‚ฌ10.2K
$35.4K โ‚ฌ30.5K
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107 โ‚ฌ92.2
$58.4 โ‚ฌ50.4
$133 โ‚ฌ115
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.47 โ‚ฌ41.78
$17.16 โ‚ฌ14.79
$80.1 โ‚ฌ69.0
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$116 โ‚ฌ100
$75.4 โ‚ฌ65.0
$151 โ‚ฌ130
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152 โ‚ฌ131
$86.4 โ‚ฌ74.4
$173 โ‚ฌ149
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,095 โ‚ฌ944
$1,055 โ‚ฌ910
$1,173 โ‚ฌ1,011
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,036 โ‚ฌ893
$921 โ‚ฌ794
$1,151 โ‚ฌ992
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,344 โ‚ฌ1,159
$1,091 โ‚ฌ941
$1,608 โ‚ฌ1,387
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,120 โ‚ฌ966
$943 โ‚ฌ813
$1,297 โ‚ฌ1,118
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,436 โ‚ฌ2,962
-
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,608 โ‚ฌ2,248
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.74
3
4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: January 13, 2026

Waterloo Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
137
Mbps
Upload
23
Mbps
Latency
21
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
209
Mbps
Upload
50
Mbps
Latency
12
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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 townโ€™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, youโ€™ll appreciate flexible transit, local markets, and a mix of cafรฉs 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 cafรฉ 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 youโ€™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.
Whatโ€™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 cafรฉs. 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.
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