Milan vs Antwerp
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Antwerp is ~26% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Antwerp
Belgium
COL+Rent
42.2
Rent Index
23.4
Groceries
52.4
Restaurant
49
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Milan | Antwerp | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,798 | $1,033 | +$765 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,262 | $779 | +$483 |
| Groceries | $372 | $294 | +$78 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $17 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $42 | $41 | +$1 |
| Utilities | $239 | $192 | +$47 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Milan | Antwerp |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,887/mo | $1,286/mo |
| Typical | $2,766/mo | $1,815/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,425/mo | $2,284/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Milan | ≈ in Antwerp | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,111/mo | -$389 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,481/mo | -$519 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,221/mo | -$779 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Milan vs Antwerp for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Antwerp is approximately 26% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Milan's COL+Rent Index of 57 vs Antwerp's 42.2 (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 Milan costs $1,798/month versus $1,033/month in Antwerp — giving Antwerp a $765/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,180 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Milan ($372/mo) vs Antwerp ($294/mo) reflect Antwerp's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 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.