Cost of living comparison
United States is 1.6% more expensive than Brussels.
- Restaurants
-
pay 17.2% less in United States
- Groceries
-
pay 22.5% more in United States
- Transportation
-
pay 14.8% less in United States
- Housing
-
pay 20.3% more in United States
- Childcare
-
pay 17.5% more in United States
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 12.3% more in United States
- Clothing
-
pay 29.2% less in United States
The cost of groceries, housing, childcare, and entertainment and sports in United States are more expensive than in Brussels. Expenses including clothing, restaurants, and transportation are lower in United States.
If you lived in United States instead of Brussels, you would:
pay 17.2% less for restaurants
|
Brussels
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.44
€18.56
|
$18.59
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.86
€11.14
|
$10.47
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.89
€2.51
|
$2.50
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.56
€2.21
|
$1.96
|
|
pay 22.5% more for groceries
|
Brussels
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.59
€2.24
|
$3.49
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.47
€6.47
|
$6.33
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.00
€5.20
|
$3.91
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.29
€3.72
|
$3.56
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.66
€4.90
|
$5.16
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.16
€1.01
|
$2.33
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.96
€0.83
|
$0.78
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.19
€1.03
|
$2.00
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.38
€1.20
|
$2.16
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.98
€0.85
|
$1.34
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.94
€0.81
|
$1.38
|
|
pay 14.8% less for transportation
|
Brussels
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$6.92
€5.99
|
$3.61
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$53.59
€46.40
|
$65.15
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$32,152.89
€27,839.20
|
$31,583.67
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$25.94
€22.46
|
$17.81
|
|
pay 20.3% more for housing
|
Brussels
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$55.46
€48.02
|
$67.50
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,200.57
€1,039.50
|
$1,655.99
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,025.16
€887.63
|
$1,423.40
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$179.33
€155.27
|
$148.34
|
|
pay 17.5% more for childcare
|
Brussels
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$988.17
€855.59
|
$1,351.84
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$22,667.79
€19,626.63
|
$22,265.44
|
|
pay 12.3% more for entertainment and sports
|
Brussels
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.36
€4.64
|
$5.78
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.01
€3.47
|
$5.04
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.65
€8.35
|
$9.68
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$38.09
€32.98
|
$50.84
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.20
€12.30
|
$13.30
|
|
pay 29.2% less for clothing
|
Brussels
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$96.46
€83.52
|
$50.38
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$51.32
€44.43
|
$40.66
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$115.01
€99.58
|
$85.52
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$143.35
€124.12
|
$111.08
|
|
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