Brussels, the most expensive student city in Belgium: “A significant shortage and more internationals”

Unsurprisingly, Brussels is the most expensive student city in the country.

This is what a study called Kotkompa,s carried out by Stadim & Diggit and StudentLife finds. Together, they map the different student neighborhoods across the country every year. This time it is the fifth edition.

Brussels, the most expensive student city

This table gives an indication of monthly rents without charges by room type in the ten main student cities in Belgium.

On average, a student room costs a little over €475 for Belgian students. But this trend increases sharply in Brussels since it reaches €551.25 on average. In total, a student who lives in the capital will therefore pay 75 euros more than another Belgian. When interviewed, Catherine Van Doninck, project manager for Stadum, explains this phenomenon. “We suspect that prices in Brussels are higher due to a greater shortage than elsewhere in the country,” she began. “Plus, there are many international students with bigger budgets, and the capital is subject to stricter regulations.”

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The costs are also higher

To be complete, the charges must also be taken into account. In Brussels, they are higher than in the other two regions. Consequently, this also increases the bill when it is necessary to do the overall accounts.

This following table shows an average between rents and charges:

Finally, these last figures concern the general increase over the last five years in Belgium. This 21% increase is comparable to the inflation recorded over the same period (20.6%). These prices include all additional costs, such as water, electricity and internet. And it is precisely these costs that have increased the most, going from an average of 70 euros per month in 2020 to around a hundred euros this year.

2020 : 475 €

2021 : 485 €

2022 : 520 €

2023 : 565 €

2024 : 575 €

Unfortunately for students, these prices are not likely to drop too much. “We see that average prices in Belgium follow inflation in recent years. In Brussels, prices increased more sharply. Both the net rent and the charges are higher. We will continue to monitor and report on this year after year. And we will continue to advocate for increased supply.

It is also important to note that this study is partial. It gives the main trends in the sector. On the other hand, another more extensive one will be published in spring 2025.

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