Diest, a charming city in Belgium, offers a unique blend of historical allure and modern conveniences. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning a visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Diest, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $26.07 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $78.21.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $11.
  • Cappuccino - A regular cappuccino costs about $2.92.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $1.3 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $1.76.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs cost $2.61.
  • Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese is priced at $7.4 per kg.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.71 per kg, while oranges are $1.56 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $1.46 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.2 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $8.66.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $1.4 per liter.
  • Car Purchase (Volkswagen Golf) - A new Volkswagen Golf costs approximately $30,084.77.
  • Car Purchase (Toyota Corolla) - A new Toyota Corolla costs approximately $31,902.64.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $990.66.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $677.82.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1303.5.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $1094.94.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre is $2607.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter is $1720.62.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $276.99.
  • Internet - Internet services cost $57.35.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs $17.21.
Worldwide
Belgium

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Belgium are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Belgium, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Feb, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in October, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$26.07
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$78.21
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$11.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$2.92
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.30
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.76
Eggs (regular) (12)
$2.61
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.40
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$16.16
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.91
Apples (1kg)
$2.71
Oranges (1kg)
$1.56
Potato (1kg)
$1.46
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.20
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.69
Tomato (1kg)
$2.40
Banana (1kg)
$2.50
Onion (1kg)
$1.09
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$15.63
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$8.66
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.40
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$30,084.77
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$31,902.64
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$990.66
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$677.82
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,303.50
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,094.94
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$276.99
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$57.35
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$17.21
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$26.07
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.68
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$14.13
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.71
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$26.07
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$99.07
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$62.57
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$2,607.00
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$1,720.62
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,962.55
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
3.77%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$250.27
Diest Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Diest offers a moderate cost of living with relatively affordable housing and grocery prices compared to larger Belgian cities.

Dining out can be a bit pricey, especially in mid-range restaurants, but fast food remains affordable.

Transportation costs are significant, particularly for public transport and fuel, which may impact daily commuting expenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Diest provides a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for those seeking a quieter lifestyle without the high expenses of larger cities.

Potential residents should consider the higher transportation costs and plan accordingly, while enjoying the benefits of affordable housing and groceries.

Diest

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Diest
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