Cost of Living in Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a city in Belgium, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,146 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,147 per month, or $948 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 138 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Brussels scores 74/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 72°F and winter highs around 45°F, with roughly 120 sunny days a year.
Brussels Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Brussels
How Brussels Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Brussels ranks in the top 13% for public transit, but costs more than 70% of them.
| Metric | Brussels | World rank | Rank in Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,146 | #239 of 340 | #67 of 91 |
| Safety | 74/100 | #114 of 340 | #65 of 91 |
| Healthcare | 74/100 | #127 of 340 | #38 of 91 |
| Internet speed | 138 Mbps | #201 of 340 | #51 of 91 |
| Walkability | 75/100 | #65 of 340 | #46 of 91 |
| Public transit | 75/100 | #41 of 340 | #24 of 91 |
| Food scene | 82/100 | #79 of 340 | #23 of 91 |
| Air quality | 87/100 | #104 of 340 | #49 of 91 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Brussels
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Brussels.
- Nuremberg, Germany — $1,800/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 82/100
- Toulouse, France — $1,700/mo, 21% cheaper, safety 72/100
- Cluj-Napoca, Romania — $1,352/mo, 37% cheaper, safety 78/100
- Budapest, Hungary — $1,380/mo, 36% cheaper, safety 78/100
Brussels FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Brussels?
A single person should budget around $2,146 per month in Brussels, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,273 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Brussels?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Brussels averages $1,147 per month, dropping to about $948 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,079.
Is Brussels safe?
Brussels scores 74/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 65/100.
How fast is the internet in Brussels?
Median download speeds in Brussels are around 138 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 55 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Belgium offer a digital nomad visa?
Belgium does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 90 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in Brussels?
Brussels sees summer highs around 72°F and winter highs near 45°F, with about 120 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 136 days.
Brussels in our travel guides
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