Skyline of Mons
Cost of Living: 82 95,000

Mons, Belgium

A historic university city with a UNESCO-listed belfry, a vibrant cultural scene, and the impressive Mons Memorial Museum.

Updated October 4, 2026

Overview

Mons is a city in Hainaut with a population of 95,000. A historic university city with a UNESCO-listed belfry, a vibrant cultural scene, and the impressive Mons Memorial Museum. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5b growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees. Reported crime rates are relatively low.

Last updated: October 04, 2026

Cost of Living 82

Below Average vs Belgium Avg (100)

Housing Index 80

Affordable

Median Income €35,000

Household income

Unemployment 10.0%

Job market health

Mons vs Belgium Average

Cost of Living
Mons: 82
Belgium Avg: 100
Housing Index
Mons: 80
Belgium Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Mons: 30%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30.0%
  • Sales Tax: 21.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €35,000
  • Unemployment: 10.0%
  • Population: 95,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 158/year
  • Summer High: 73°F
  • Winter Low: 33°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Internet Speed

  • Average 200 Mbps: 130 Mbps
  • Coworking Spaces: 15+ locations

Housing

  • Median Home: €190,000
  • 1BR Rent: €700/mo

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Cost of Living

Mons's cost of living index is 82 (Belgium average = 100).

CategoryMonsNational AverageDifference
Overall82100-18.0%
Housing80100-20.0%

Data source: Statbel / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€190,000
Median Rent (1BR)€700/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€875/mo
Price per Sq Ft€126

Data source: ImmoWeb / Notaris.be, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

€
%
$90,000 down
%
%
€

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Mons:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€100
Heating & Cooling€102Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€50Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€20Private service
Total Utilities€312Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: CREG, Engie, Proximus 2025

Remote Work Score

Mons scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 82
Rent
— €700
Sunny Days
— 158
Tax
— 30%
Unemployment
— 10.0%
Climate
— 73°F / 33°F
Safety
— 1.4 homicides/100k
Population
— 95,000
Internet Speed
— 130 Mbps

Climate

Mons has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January53°F33°F2.5"
April58°F48°F2.8"
July73°F48°F1.5"
October53°F51°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Mons faces the following natural hazards:

Flood Moderate Risk

River and coastal flooding.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Belgium experiences winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30%
  • Sales Tax: 21%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 10.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Mons per 100,000 residents:

691.1
Violent Crime
2,159.5
Property Crime
1.4
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Trimester — Autumn (Sep-Dec), Spring (Jan-Apr), Summer (Apr-Jun)
Summer Break July to August (8 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

Follows French Community or Flemish Community calendar depending on region.

Universities & Higher Education

4
Universities
#1028
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Mons

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Mons is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

EU foreign
9.4%
Foreign
15.2%
Foreign-born
19.8%
National
84.8%
Non-EU foreign
5.7%

Education

Religion

Demographic composition is derived from the Eurostat Urban Audit (city-level). Ethnicity figures are based on nationality / country of birth, as European statistics do not collect race or ethnicity data. Education figures reflect the highest level of education attained by the population aged 25-64.

Data source: Eurostat Urban Audit (2025)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mons, Belgium?

The cost of living index in Mons is 82, which is Lower the Belgium national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Mons?

The median home price in Mons is €190,000. The housing index is 80.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mons is approximately €700/mo.

Does Mons, WHT have income tax?

Mons is in WHT, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Mons?

Mons enjoys approximately 158 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 73°F, while winter lows can drop to around 33°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statbel / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: ImmoWeb / Notaris.be, 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statbel Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities CREG, Engie, Proximus 2025

Data last updated: October 21, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.