London vs Brussels
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brussels is ~25% 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
Brussels
Belgium
COL+Rent
54.9
Rent Index
35.6
Groceries
63.8
Restaurant
63.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Brussels | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $1,575 | +$928 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $1,188 | +$772 |
| Groceries | $422 | $358 | +$64 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $20 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $50 | +$63 |
| Utilities | $258 | $233 | +$25 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Brussels |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $1,802/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $2,516/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $3,124/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Brussels | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,130/mo | -$370 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,506/mo | -$494 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,259/mo | -$741 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Brussels for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brussels is approximately 25% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Brussels's 54.9 (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 London costs $2,503/month versus $1,575/month in Brussels — giving Brussels a $928/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,136 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Brussels ($358/mo) reflect Brussels's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $20 show Brussels 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, Brussels offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,516 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.