Antwerp vs Heraklion
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Heraklion is ~37% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Antwerp
Belgium
COL+Rent
42.2
Rent Index
23.4
Groceries
52.4
Restaurant
49
Heraklion
Greece
COL+Rent
26.4
Rent Index
8.5
Groceries
41.8
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Antwerp | Heraklion | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,033 | $335 | +$698 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $779 | $242 | +$537 |
| Groceries | $294 | $258 | +$36 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $16 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $41 | $25 | +$16 |
| Utilities | $192 | $132 | +$60 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Antwerp | Heraklion |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,286/mo | $644/mo |
| Typical | $1,815/mo | $990/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,284/mo | $1,332/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Antwerp | ≈ in Heraklion | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $938/mo | -$562 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,251/mo | -$749 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,877/mo | -$1,123 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Antwerp vs Heraklion for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Heraklion is approximately 37% more affordable than Antwerp when combining rent and daily living costs. Antwerp's COL+Rent Index of 42.2 vs Heraklion's 26.4 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Antwerp costs $1,033/month versus $335/month in Heraklion — giving Heraklion a $698/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,376 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Antwerp ($294/mo) vs Heraklion ($258/mo) reflect Heraklion's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $16 show Heraklion offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Heraklion offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $990 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.