When it comes to quality of living, Brussels – the capital of both Belgium and Flanders – beats out major cities in Europe and around the world. Other cities in Flanders score high in the rankings as well, while offering this high quality of living at a reasonable cost. But don’t take our word for it, check out the facts and figures below!
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Amazing lifestyle at a reasonable cost in Flanders
In terms of well-being and quality of life, Belgium and its northern region Flanders score well compared to the rest of Europe and the world. This has a lot to do with the excellent yet affordable healthcare services, the top-notch educational system and the varied culinary, cultural and leisure options available in the region. What’s more, cities in Flanders offer this great lifestyle at a comparatively low cost.
Quality of living is relatively high in Flanders…
Below are some of the most livable cities around the globe based on healthcare, safety, political stability, infrastructure, green space and other factors. In this regard, Brussels – both Belgium's and Flanders' capital – ranks consistently high.
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vienna | Austria |
| 2 | Copenhagen | Denmark |
| 3 | Zurich | Switzerland |
| 5 | Vancouver | Canada |
| 6 | Geneva | Switzerland |
| 9 | Amsterdam | Netherlands |
| 19 | Paris | France |
| 24 | Brussels | Belgium |
| 30 | Adelaide | Australia |
| 33 | London | UK |
| 43 | Madrid | Spain |
| 73 | Athens | Greece |
(Source: Global Livability Index, Economist Intelligence Unit, 2022)
… while the cost of living in Flanders is relatively low
The table below ranks some of the world’s major cities according to cost of living (the higher the ranking, the higher the costs). Here, Brussels – the capital of Belgium and Flanders – ranks at the lower end of the spectrum, indicating relatively low costs of living in the city.
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong |
| 2 | Zurich |
Switzerland |
| 3 | Geneva | Switzerland |
| 6 | Tel Aviv | Israel |
| 7 | New York | United States |
| 8 | Singapore | Singapore |
| 9 | Tokyo | Japan |
| 10 | Beijing | China |
| 11 | Copenhagen | Denmark |
| 15 | London | United Kingdom |
| 21 | Vienna | Austria |
| 25 | Amsterdam | Netherlands |
| 35 | Paris | France |
| 39 | Brussels | Belgium |
| 46 | Berlin |
Germany |
| 49 | Dublin | Ireland |
| 78 | Barcelona | Spain |
(Source: Cost of Living Index, Mercer Human Resource Consulting, 2022)
Affordable rental prices in Flanders
Compared to the rest of Western Europe, Belgium – and Flanders as a region – has good housing statistics.
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