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Expat Exchange - Cost of Living in Kortrijk 2024
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Cost of Living in Kortrijk

By Betsy Burlingame

Universal Tax Professionals
Universal Tax Professionals

Summary: Understanding the the cost of living in Kortrijk helps a newcomer what to expect when it comes to apartment or house hunting, grocery shopping, transportation, dining out, utilities and more.

Category Cost
Apartment Rental (1 bedroom in City Centre) €600 - €800 per month
Apartment Rental (1 bedroom Outside of Centre) €500 - €700 per month
Apartment Purchase Price (City Centre) €2,500 - €3,500 per square meter
Apartment Purchase Price (Outside of Centre) €2,000 - €3,000 per square meter
Public Transportation (Monthly Pass) €49
Gasoline (1 liter) €1.50
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) €150 - €200 per month
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) €45 - €60 per month
Groceries (Milk, Bread, Eggs, Fruits, Chicken, Beef, etc.) €300 - €400 per month
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant €15
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course €60 - €80
Private Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child €400 - €600
Private Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child €4,000 - €6,000
Private Middle School, Yearly for 1 Child €6,000 - €8,000
Private High School, Yearly for 1 Child €8,000 - €10,000
Please note that these are average costs and actual costs may vary. The cost of living in Kortrijk is relatively moderate compared to other major cities in Belgium. The cost of housing, whether renting or buying, is quite affordable, especially when compared to cities like Brussels or Antwerp. Public transportation in Kortrijk is also reasonably priced, with a monthly pass costing around €49. However, if you prefer to drive, keep in mind that gasoline costs around €1.50 per liter.When it comes to utilities, you can expect to pay between €150 and €200 per month for basic services like electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage. Internet service, for a speed of 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, typically costs between €45 and €60 per month.Groceries in Kortrijk are also reasonably priced, with a monthly budget of €300 to €400 being sufficient for most people. Dining out is also quite affordable, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing around €15, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costing between €60 and €80.If you have children and are considering private schooling, you should be prepared for higher costs. Private preschool or kindergarten can cost between €400 and €600 per month. For private primary, middle, and high schools, you can expect to pay between €4,000 and €10,000 per year, per child.

Monthly Budget for Retirees in Kortrijk

"The cost of living in Kortrijk is considered moderate compared to other cities in Belgium. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can be quite affordable, while outside the city center, it can be even cheaper. The cost of utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage is also reasonable. Groceries in Kortrijk are priced moderately with local markets offering fresh produce at affordable prices. Dining out in Kortrijk can vary, with inexpensive restaurants being quite affordable, while a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant can be more expensive. Public transportation in Kortrijk is also reasonably priced, with monthly passes available for frequent commuters. However, owning and maintaining a car can be quite costly, with gasoline prices being quite high. Healthcare in Kortrijk is of high quality and is accessible, but the cost can be high if you are not covered by health insurance. Overall, while Kortrijk is not the cheapest city in Belgium, it offers a good quality of life with its cost of living being quite reasonable compared to other Belgian cities," said one expat living in Kortrijk.

Can I live in Kortrijk on $1,500 a month?

"I've been living in Kortrijk for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $1,500 a month is possible, but it will require some budgeting and sacrifices. The cost of living here is relatively high compared to other cities in Belgium, but it's still manageable. The first thing you'll need to consider is housing. The city center is quite expensive, with rents for a one-bedroom apartment ranging from $700 to $1,000 a month. However, if you look at neighborhoods like Bissegem or Heule, you can find cheaper options, around $500 to $700 a month. These areas are a bit further from the city center, but they're still well-connected by public transport. Next, you'll need to consider your utility bills. On average, you can expect to pay around $150 a month for electricity, water, and gas. Internet and mobile phone services can cost you around $50 a month. Food is another significant expense. If you eat out a lot, it can quickly drain your budget. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $15, while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant can set you back about $40. However, if you cook at home and shop at discount supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl, you can significantly reduce your food expenses. Transportation is relatively cheap. A monthly public transport ticket costs around $50. If you prefer to drive, keep in mind that petrol costs around $1.50 per liter. As for entertainment, there are plenty of free or low-cost activities in Kortrijk. The city has beautiful parks, museums, and historical sites that you can visit. A cinema ticket costs around $10, while a fitness club monthly fee is about $30. In terms of sacrifices, you might have to give up eating out frequently, limit your shopping, and choose cheaper entertainment options. You might also need to live in a smaller apartment or in a less central neighborhood. But overall, I believe it's possible to live comfortably in Kortrijk on $1,500 a month if you manage your budget wisely," commented an expat living in Kortrijk.

Can I live in Kortrijk on $3,500 a month?

"I've been living in Kortrijk for a few years now and I can tell you that it's definitely possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month, even if you're used to modern amenities. However, you might have to make a few sacrifices. For instance, you might not be able to dine out at high-end restaurants every night or live in the most luxurious apartment, but you can certainly live a comfortable and enjoyable life. Kortrijk is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. It's not as expensive as Brussels or Antwerp, but it's not cheap either. The cost of living is moderate, so you'll need to budget wisely. Rent is probably going to be your biggest expense. If you want to live in the city center, you're looking at around $1,000 to $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. However, if you're willing to live a bit further out, you can find cheaper options. Neighborhoods like Heule and Bissegem are more affordable and still offer a good quality of life. They're a bit quieter and more residential, but they're still close to the city center. On the other hand, neighborhoods like Lange Munte and Blauwe Poort are more expensive. They're closer to the city center and have more amenities, but you'll pay a premium for that convenience. Groceries are reasonably priced in Kortrijk. You can expect to spend around $300 to $400 a month on groceries if you cook at home most of the time. Eating out can be expensive, but there are plenty of affordable options if you know where to look. Transportation is another expense to consider. Public transportation is reliable and affordable, but if you want to own a car, you'll need to budget for that as well. In terms of entertainment, there's plenty to do in Kortrijk that doesn't cost a lot of money. There are beautiful parks to explore, museums to visit, and a vibrant nightlife scene. In conclusion, living in Kortrijk on $3,000 a month is definitely doable, but you'll need to budget wisely and be willing to make a few sacrifices. It's a beautiful city with a lot to offer, and I'm sure you'll love living here as much as I do," said one expat living in Kortrijk.

Can I live in Kortrijk on $5,000 a month?

"I've been living in Kortrijk for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $5,000 a month is definitely doable, even with a taste for modern amenities. Kortrijk is a beautiful city with a rich history and a vibrant culture, but it's not as expensive as some of the larger cities like Brussels or Antwerp. The cost of living here is relatively low compared to other European cities. For instance, you can rent a nice one-bedroom apartment in the city center for around $800 to $1,000 a month. If you prefer to live in a more upscale neighborhood like Lange Munte or Blauwe Poort, you might have to pay a bit more, maybe around $1,200 to $1,500 a month. But there are also more affordable neighborhoods like Overleie or Sint-Anna where you can find cheaper rents, around $600 to $800 a month. When it comes to groceries, expect to spend around $300 to $400 a month if you eat at home most of the time. Dining out is also quite affordable in Kortrijk. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $15, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is about $65. Public transportation is also quite affordable. A monthly pass costs around $50. But Kortrijk is a compact city, so you can also get around easily by bike. As for utilities like electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, they will cost you around $150 a month. Internet and mobile phone services are also quite affordable, around $50 to $70 a month. So, if you add up all these expenses, you'll see that you can live quite comfortably in Kortrijk on $5,000 a month. Of course, you'll have to manage your budget wisely and maybe make some sacrifices. For instance, you might not be able to afford a large apartment in the most upscale neighborhood or dine out every night. But overall, I think you'll find that Kortrijk offers a great quality of life at a reasonable cost," commented an expat living in Kortrijk.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


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