Belgium is 6.8% cheaper — but purchasing power is 6.7% weaker. Lower prices help, but you'll likely take home less overall.
Compared to Netherlands. Green = cheaper or better in Belgium. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
Every Category, Side by Side
Averaged across 13 cities. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
| Category | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 74 | 69 | -6.8% |
| Rent | 38.5 | 26.1 | -32.2% |
| Groceries | 68.8 | 67.8 | -1.5% |
| Restaurants | 80.2 | 81.7 | +1.9% |
| Purchasing Power | 140.9 | 131.4 | -6.7% |
What You Actually Keep After Taxes
Same gross salary, different tax systems. Annual take-home pay in Amsterdam vs Brussels.
| Gross | 🇳🇱 Net in Netherlands | 🇧🇪 Net in Belgium | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| €40,000 | €31,637 | €24,734 | -€6,903 |
| €60,000 | €41,841 | €33,404 | -€8,437 |
| €80,000 | €51,594 | €41,352 | -€10,242 |
| €100,000 | €60,392 | €49,436 | -€10,956 |
Single person, no children. Tax rates for Amsterdam and Brussels (2026). Try the full calculator
Tax Calculators
Enter your exact numbers and see your real take-home pay in both countries.
Calculate Your Take-Home PayTop Cities in Each Country
National averages hide a lot. These are the cities most people actually move to.
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 80.4 | 52.1 | 150.7 |
| Rotterdam | 74.3 | 40.1 | 134.8 |
| The Hague | 73.5 | 40.3 | 151.6 |
| Utrecht | 76 | 41.6 | 148.5 |
| Haarlem | 78.2 | 41.1 | 123 |
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels | 69.6 | 30.7 | 133.5 |
| Antwerp | 71.7 | 22 | 122.7 |
| Gent | 71.1 | 25.1 | 128.9 |
| Leuven | 63.5 | 26.4 | 140.3 |
City-to-City Comparisons
See exact take-home pay for specific cities between Netherlands and Belgium.
FAQ
Related Country Comparisons
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