Cost of living in Brussels (Belgium) is 10% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Detroit, Michigan or in Brussels? You can help!
Improve the prices for Detroit, Michigan! Improve the prices for Brussels!
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 308 prices entered by 50 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Brussels (Belgium) is about the same as in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brussels | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €20 ($21) | $18 | + 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 ($11) | $10 | + 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.54 ($5.87) | $5.61 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.40 ($1.48) | $0.87 | + 70% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €3.98 ($4.21) | $4.91 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.99 ($3.17) | $3.62 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 ($7) | $6 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.29 ($2.43) | $4.50 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.85 ($1.96) | $2.69 | - 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €2.16 ($2.28) | $2.02 | + 13% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 ($9) | $10 | - 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €3.05 ($3.23) | $2.97 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.98 ($2.09) | $2.78 | - 25% | |
| Housing | - 26% | |||
| Housing in Brussels (Belgium) is 26% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brussels | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,792 ($1,895) | $2,750 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,360 ($1,439) | $1,538 | - 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €288 ($305) | $175 | + 75% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €980 ($1,037) | $1,300 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €646 ($684) | $957 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €121 ($128) | $157 | - 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €51 ($54) | $72 | - 25% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €422 ($447) | $344 | + 30% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €127 ($134) | $149 | - 10% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €10 ($10) | $15 | - 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 ($12) | $42 | - 72% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in Brussels (Belgium) is 42% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brussels | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €93 ($98) | $50 | + 97% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €40 ($43) | $34 | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €99 ($104) | $96 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €123 ($130) | $90 | + 44% | |
| Transportation | + 2% | |||
| Transportation in Brussels (Belgium) is about the same as in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brussels | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €31,127 ($32,929) | $32,100 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.76 ($1.86) | $0.93 | + 99% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €51 ($54) | $65 | - 16% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €22 ($23) | $14 | + 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 24% | |||
| Personal Care in Brussels (Belgium) is 24% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brussels | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €8 ($8) | $10 | - 18% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €6 ($7) | $6 | + 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €37 ($39) | $94 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €4.77 ($5.04) | $7 | - 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €4.65 ($4.92) | $4.88 | + 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €4.34 ($4.59) | $7 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.83 ($1.94) | $3.48 | - 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €2.64 ($2.80) | $1.75 | + 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €28 ($30) | $23 | + 29% | |
| Entertainment | - 9% | |||
| Entertainment in Brussels (Belgium) is 9% cheaper than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brussels | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €46 ($48) | $47 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €24 ($26) | $25 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €63 ($67) | $206 | - 67% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €85 ($90) | $75 | + 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €10 ($11) | $14 | - 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.61 ($3.82) | $5.53 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.70 ($4.97) | $4.71 | + 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €427 ($452) | $451 | + 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.21 ($0.23) | $0.32 | - 29% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €33 ($34) | $39 | - 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €9 ($9) | $9 | + 9% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 10% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 308 prices entered by 50 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 03, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.058
USD
/
EUR
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is 7% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Pyongyang is 84% more expensive than in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Cost of living in Madrid is 37% cheaper than in Paris
- Cost of living in London is 26% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 29% more expensive than in Santiago, Chile
- Cost of living in Honolulu, Hawaii is 43% more expensive than in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Cost of living in Paris is 30% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Madrid is 5% cheaper than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 21% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Makhachkala is 67% cheaper than in Madrid
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $8,800 in Detroit, Michigan you would need to make just about $7,903 (€7,470) in Brussels.
Do you live in Detroit, Michigan? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dublin (Ireland)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lille (France)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Dallas, Texas (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Louisville, Kentucky (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ottawa (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Naples (Italy)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Austin, Texas (United States)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Oporto costs €12 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 year rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Riyadh costs ﷼ 21,177 (about 2 hours ago)
- Summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) in Ottawa costs C$56 (about 2 hours ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Córdoba costs ARS $28,000 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Murcia costs €1.16 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 us gal of gasoline in Guayaquil costs $1.06 (about 3 hours ago)