Is Saint-Gilles Expensive?

Brussels, Belgium

+5% vs Brussels avg

Living in Saint-Gilles, Brussels

Saint-Gilles is a moderately-priced area within Brussels, with a cost of living index of 52.8 — that is +5% compared to the Brussels average. It sits around the middle of the pack at #9 out of 20 neighborhoods. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around €979/month, compared to a range of €672 in Anderlecht to €1,194 in Sablon.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Saint-Gilles, housing takes up roughly 43% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 17%, while transportation costs around 9%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately €39,173 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Saint-Gilles

Salaries in Saint-Gilles reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 52.8:

After tax and deductions of 28.9% in Belgium, take-home pay for someone earning €39,173 would be roughly €27,852/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

52.8
COLI Index
1.05x
vs City Avg
€979
Est. 1BR Rent
#9
of 20 Areas
28.9%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Saint-Gilles

Estimated annual deductions on a €33,577 salary in Saint-Gilles, Brussels (local employee).

Income Tax
16%
Social Security
13.1%
Total Deductions: 28.9%
Est. Take-Home: €23,867/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Saint-Gilles would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $39,600
London GBP £34,079
Dubai AED AED 198,150

Other Neighborhoods in Brussels

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Sablon 64.4 1.28x +28%
Uccle 61.4 1.22x +22%
Avenue Louise 60.4 1.20x +20%
Ixelles 59.4 1.18x +18%
EU Quarter 57.8 1.15x +15%

View all 20 neighborhoods in Brussels →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Saint-Gilles, Brussels to maintain your lifestyle.

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Saint-Gilles:

Hietzing (13th), Vienna Pudong (Century Park), Shanghai Cenisio, Milan Flaminio, Rome Trastevere Nord, Rome Friedrichshain, Berlin

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saint-Gilles expensive in Brussels?

Saint-Gilles is near the city average for Brussels. Costs are about +5% vs the average, making it a mid-range neighborhood.

How does Saint-Gilles compare to the Brussels average?

The cost of living in Saint-Gilles is above the Brussels average. With a multiplier of 1.05x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +5% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.