Hasselt vs Izegem: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Izegem costs roughly 5% less than Hasselt. Hasselt has significantly faster average internet speeds (112 Mbps vs 85 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Izegem is approximately 37% less expensive than Hasselt based on cost of living including rent. This makes Izegem a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Izegem has a FIRE Score of 74/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Izegem is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Hasselt
Hasselt is a cheap, safe, and boringly pleasant Belgian town where a single person can live on $1,002/mo and still save, but the small expat community and limited English outside tourist spots will frustrate anyone craving international buzz. The $924/mo centre rent is fair for a city with excellent healthcare and a 82/100 safety index, yet the 45 air quality index and 78% humidity make it feel less crisp than its FIRE score of 71 suggests. You get a decent digital nomad visa at $765/mo minimum income, but the nearest airport is 5 km away and the climate swings from 32°C summers to -4°C winters, so pack for both. If you want a low-cost, low-drama base in northern Europe, Hasselt works; if you want excitement, look elsewhere.
About Belgium
Offers a clear pathway to citizenship, though no specific retiree visa is available. Those seeking long-term stays may explore other visa categories. Rent in Brussels is under $1,000/month, roughly 70% less than a typical US city center. However, income tax can hit 50% plus communal surcharges, making it a high-tax destination for remote workers.
$1,415/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Izegem
Izegem is a small, safe Flemish town where a one-bedroom costs $672/mo and a comfortable single life runs $1,696/mo, so your money stretches further than in most Belgian cities. The catch is the limited English proficiency and small expat community, which means daily life leans heavily on Dutch and you will have to work for a social circle. With an overall expat score of 72/100 and a digital nomad score of 66/100, it suits remote workers who want quiet, cheap rent, and excellent healthcare over big-city convenience. If you need a large international crowd or easy English conversation, look elsewhere.
About Belgium
Offers a clear pathway to citizenship, though no specific retiree visa is available. Those seeking long-term stays may explore other visa categories. Rent in Brussels is under $1,000/month, roughly 70% less than a typical US city center. However, income tax can hit 50% plus communal surcharges, making it a high-tax destination for remote workers.
$1,551/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Hasselt | Izegem |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $923.78 | $671.84 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $812.48 | $671.84 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1455.66 | $895.79 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1218.27 | $895.79 |
| Safety Index | 82 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 112Mbps | 85Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Hasselt | Izegem |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,673/mo | $1,550/mo |
| Excluding rent | $861/mo | $878/mo |
| Rent | $812/mo | $672/mo |
| Groceries | $229/mo | $241/mo |
| Dining out | $224/mo | $224/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $103/mo | $76.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $272/mo | $282/mo |
| Transport | $33.00/mo | $55.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Hasselt vs Izegem -- Frequently Asked Questions
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