Cost of living comparison
Washington is 36.5% more expensive than Brussels.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.8% less in Washington
- Groceries
-
pay 45.1% more in Washington
- Transportation
-
pay 1.0% less in Washington
- Housing
-
pay 53.6% more in Washington
- Childcare
-
pay 99.3% more in Washington
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 62.0% more in Washington
- Clothing
-
pay 2.0% less in Washington
The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, housing, and groceries in Washington are more expensive than in Brussels. Expenses including clothing, restaurants, and transportation are lower in Washington. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Washington.
If you lived in Washington instead of Brussels, you would:
pay 1.8% less for restaurants
|
Brussels
|
Washington
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.44
€18.81
|
$25.00
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.86
€11.29
|
$12.00
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.89
€2.54
|
$2.78
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.56
€2.24
|
$2.22
|
|
pay 45.1% more for groceries
|
Brussels
|
Washington
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.59
€2.27
|
$4.34
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.47
€6.56
|
$7.84
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.00
€5.27
|
$4.14
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.29
€3.77
|
$3.91
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.66
€4.97
|
$6.73
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.16
€1.02
|
$2.70
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.96
€0.85
|
$0.85
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.19
€1.04
|
$2.46
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.38
€1.21
|
$2.59
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.98
€0.86
|
$1.55
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.94
€0.82
|
$1.61
|
|
pay 1.0% less for transportation
|
Brussels
|
Washington
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$6.92
€6.07
|
$3.66
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$53.59
€47.03
|
$75.00
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$32,152.89
€28,220.59
|
$35,699.74
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$25.94
€22.76
|
$23.88
|
|
pay 53.6% more for housing
|
Brussels
|
Washington
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$55.46
€48.68
|
$66.46
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,200.57
€1,053.74
|
$2,582.95
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,025.16
€899.79
|
$2,028.70
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$179.33
€157.40
|
$146.65
|
|
pay 99.3% more for childcare
|
Brussels
|
Washington
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$988.17
€867.31
|
$2,273.25
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$22,667.79
€19,895.52
|
$38,250.00
|
|
pay 62.0% more for entertainment and sports
|
Brussels
|
Washington
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.36
€4.70
|
$8.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.01
€3.52
|
$5.55
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.65
€8.47
|
$11.75
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$38.09
€33.43
|
$106.36
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.20
€12.46
|
$17.18
|
|
pay 2.0% less for clothing
|
Brussels
|
Washington
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$96.46
€84.66
|
$74.13
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$51.32
€45.04
|
$50.77
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$115.01
€100.94
|
$105.47
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$143.35
€125.82
|
$178.48
|
|
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