The monthly cost of renting in Brussels is €100 more than the Belgian average, making the Belgian capital still the most expensive for rented student accommodation (known in Belgium as a kot).
The latest Kotkompass study by student halls provider Diggit Studentlife and property expert Stadim, showed that Brussels by far the most expensive city for students.
The average cost of a kot in the region is €550; the national average is €475. The additional costs that students must pay – such as for water, electricity and internet have also risen most in Brussels. Including these additional costs, the average accommodation cost is €680 for students in Brussels. The Belgian average is €575.
Lack of supply
In Flanders, the second most expensive region, the average is €595 (+2.6% since last year). In Wallonia it is €520.
Brussels' significantly higher kot prices can be explained by a lack of supply, which is even more pronounced than in the rest of the country. Brussels is also home to a greater proportion of international students than other regions, and they tend to have bigger budgets.
A student studying in a kot room in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. Credit: Belga/ Eric Lalmand
Finally, prices in the Belgian capital are pushed up by the fact that Brussels has more regulations, which also impact supply.
The type of room also heavily influences the price. In Brussels, a room (including costs) costs €575 on average, while one with sanitary facilities costs €690 on average. For a studio, students can expect to pay €780 per month in the capital.
A 21% rise
Student accommodation costs went up by an average of 21% (+€100, including charges) the study observed. Though high, the authors point out that this is basically in line with inflation, which was 20.6% between September 2020 and September 2024.
The rise in costs of internet and electricity alone rose from €70 to €100 in four academic years, an increase of 43%. The biggest leap was seen in 2023, possibly driven by skyrocketing energy prices in 2022.
