About

  • About Tech Cities Index
  • Methodology
  • FAQ

Tools

  • Salary Converter
  • LinkedIn Network

Built with ❤️ by Mohamed Oun

Tech Cities Index LogoTech Cities Index
Salary ConverterLinkedIn NetworkAbout
Brussels
#103 of 124
Europe

Brussels

Belgium

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Brussels compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Brussels is 65% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Brussels compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$61,992
-$210K (-77%) vs San Francisco
Based on 145 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$37,195
-$135K (-78%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 40%

Community Insights

New

Brussels offers a polarized experience for software engineers. Financially, it is a haven for freelancers who can navigate the corporate tax system to retain significant wealth, but often frustrating for salaried employees who see nearly half their income vanish in taxes. Culturally, it is a true international melting pot where you can survive entirely on English, yet it struggles with a reputation for being somewhat gritty and bureaucratic. The city serves as an excellent, affordable base for exploring Europe, provided you can handle the gray weather and navigate the complex administrative landscape.

Resident Sentiment

The sentiment is cautiously positive but pragmatic. Long-term residents (especially freelancers) tend to appreciate the high quality of life, food, and travel convenience once they've "hacked" the system. However, newcomers frequently express shock at the low net salaries and frustration with the slow government processes. There is a recurring theme of people loving the social aspect of the international bubble but complaining about the infrastructure (trash, safety, traffic) and weather.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#52

of 124 cities

6 events on luma

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Middle of the pack

#66

of 124 cities

41/100 weather score

Current value

Cost of Living

Middle of the pack

#70

of 124 cities

55/100

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Brussels compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$4,334 / m²
57% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Brussels to maintain the same standard of living.

$

Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
38% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Brussels

TomTom logo
TomTom
Nokia logo
Nokia
Devoteam logo
Devoteam

The Good

  • English-friendly job market: Many international companies and EU institutions hire software engineers who speak only English, making it accessible for non-French/Dutch speakers.
  • Lucrative freelance opportunities: Senior engineers often switch to freelancing (contracting) with a daily rate, using a company structure (BV/SRL) to significantly optimize taxes compared to salaried employees.
  • Central European travel hub: High-speed train connections (Eurostar, Thalys) make it incredibly easy to visit Paris, London, and Amsterdam for weekend trips.
  • Work-life balance: The work culture generally respects personal time, with standard 38-40 hour weeks and generous vacation allowances.
  • Affordable housing relative to peers: While not cheap, buying or renting a high-quality apartment is significantly more affordable than in London, Paris, or Amsterdam.
  • Extensive benefits packages: Salaried jobs often compensate for high taxes with tax-optimized perks like a company car (with fuel card), meal vouchers, and eco-cheques.

The Bad

  • High tax burden on employees: Belgium has some of the highest labor taxes in the world; a competitive gross salary can result in a disappointing net income.
  • Bureaucratic nightmare: Dealing with local administration (commune) for residence permits, ID cards, and registration is notoriously slow, archaic, and frustrating for expats.
  • Gloomy weather: The city ranks low on sunshine hours with frequent gray skies and rain, which leads to complaints about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
  • Safety concerns in specific areas: Neighborhoods around Brussels North and Midi train stations are frequently cited as sketchy or unsafe, especially at night.
  • High entry costs for buying: Purchasing a home requires a large down payment due to high registration fees (approx. 12.5%) and notary costs, making it harder for newcomers to enter the property market.
  • Traffic and pollution: Congestion is a major issue, and air quality is often criticized compared to other modern European cities.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Mid-to-senior level engineers willing to freelance or contract to maximize earnings. It is also ideal for those who value work-life balance and travel over the "hustle culture" of London or Berlin. Expats who want a cosmopolitan environment where English is the lingua franca of the workplace will thrive here.

Skip it if...

Junior developers expecting high disposable income immediately, as entry-level net salaries can feel low relative to the cost of living. Individuals sensitive to seasonal depression (lack of sunlight) or those who prioritize pristine, highly safe streets over urban grit should avoid it. If you have zero tolerance for inefficient bureaucracy, the administrative hurdles will be a dealbreaker.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather4.1/10-53% vs San Francisco
Safety44+11%
Pollution63+27%
Events6-88%
4.1/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
14°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
7°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
1,546h/yr-1516h/yr(-50%)
Hottest Month High
22°C(same as San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
1°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
104/yr+55/yr(+113%)

Community & Quality

Brussels community pulse

Brussels has 6 Luma events listed.

88% fewer events than San Francisco.

Home Affordability

Middle of the pack

#76

of 124 cities

≈9.3 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Net Income

Bottom 32%

#86

of 124 cities

$37,195/yr

Current value

Pollution Score

Bottom 31%

#87

of 124 cities

62.5/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Bottom 20%

#100

of 124 cities

43.7/100

Current value

Purchasing Power

Bottom 18%

#103

of 124 cities

Tax Rate

Bottom 12%

#110

of 124 cities

40%

Current value (lower is better)

SWE Affordability
9.3 years
4.7 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
2/yr(same as San Francisco)
Cloud Cover
58%(vs 34% in San Francisco)