London vs Antwerp
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Antwerp is ~42% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Antwerp
Belgium
COL+Rent
42.2
Rent Index
23.4
Groceries
52.4
Restaurant
49
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Antwerp | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $1,033 | +$1,470 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $779 | +$1,181 |
| Groceries | $422 | $294 | +$128 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $17 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $41 | +$72 |
| Utilities | $258 | $192 | +$66 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Antwerp |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $1,286/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $1,815/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $2,284/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Antwerp | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $868/mo | -$632 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,158/mo | -$842 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,737/mo | -$1,263 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Antwerp for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Antwerp is approximately 42% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Antwerp's 42.2 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in London costs $2,503/month versus $1,033/month in Antwerp — giving Antwerp a $1,470/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $17,640 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Antwerp ($294/mo) reflect Antwerp's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $17 show Antwerp 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, Antwerp offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,815 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.