Living costs: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg

🇧🇪 🇳🇱 🇱🇺 Belgium, the Netherlands & Luxembourg—three neighbors, three economies, and three very different costs of living! If you’re thinking about relocating or just curious about where your salary stretches the most, let's break it down. 📊

🏠 Rent
Looking for affordable housing? 🇧🇪 Belgium takes the lead with an average rent of €843/month, giving you more space for your money. 🇳🇱 The Netherlands is pricier at €1,381/month, with cities like Amsterdam being on the higher end. But 🇱🇺 Luxembourg? Be ready to pay €1,698/month, as housing demand keeps rents sky-high.

🛒 Groceries
Belgium keeps grocery costs manageable at €390/month, slightly under 🇳🇱 the Netherlands at €400/month. Meanwhile, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg is the most expensive at €460/month, thanks to higher import costs and premium supermarket choices.

🚆 Transport
🚇 Commuting costs vary greatly! In 🇧🇪 Belgium, a monthly transit pass costs €49, while 🇳🇱 Dutch public transport can set you back €80/month, especially in major cities. 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, however, is the ultimate winner here—public transport is entirely free!

📡 Internet
Surprisingly, Belgium tops the list for internet costs at €51/month, while 🇳🇱 the Netherlands offers better deals at €42/month. 🇱🇺 Luxembourg sits in between at €50/month—not the cheapest, but solid connectivity is key in this finance hub.

🎓 University Tuition
Want to study? 🇳🇱 The Netherlands offers the most budget-friendly tuition at €211/month, followed by 🇧🇪 Belgium at €291/month. But if you're considering 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, the mix of public and private institutions brings the average to €976/month.

💰 VAT Rates
How much tax do you pay when shopping? 🇱🇺 Luxembourg has the lowest VAT in the EU at 17%, while 🇧🇪 Belgium and 🇳🇱 the Netherlands have a standard 21% VAT, with reduced rates of 12% and 9% for certain goods.

💶 Average Net Salary
Now, how much do you actually take home? 🇧🇪 Belgium offers an average salary of €2,461/month, while 🇳🇱 the Netherlands jumps higher at €3,258/month. But 🇱🇺 Luxembourg? It’s a whole different level with an average salary of €5,507/month—though, with its high cost of living, the extra earnings don’t always mean extra savings.

Which country fits your lifestyle & budget best? Let us know in the comments! 💬

The research is based on publicly available data.

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