Cost of Living
The cost of living in Belgium is 1.34% higher than in the United States, while rent in Belgium is 25.87% lower than in the United States. The cost of living in Belgium is globally similar to that in neighbouring countries, such as France or the Netherlands. Some differences do exist for specific items, though.
A very comprehensive overview is given at, http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/555/costs-of-studying-and-living-in-belgium.html, aimed at informing master students. From tuition fees to restaurants, it gives an accurate picture of the cost of living in Belgium. It shows that, though Belgium is located in the middle of Europe, in a a region that is ranked pretty highly with regard to cost of living, life in Belgium is not as expensive as it may seem.