Rent statistics in Belgium by region in 2026
Average rents by region and city in Belgium in 2026. Evolution, indexation, rent-to-income ratio and Belgian rental market trends in figures.
327days ago
!What changes
- 1The average Belgian rent reaches EUR 785/month for a 2-bedroom apartment (+2.1% vs 2025)
- 2Brussels remains the most expensive region (EUR 920/month) ahead of Flanders (EUR 810) and Wallonia (EUR 680)
- 3Indexation contributed to 65% of the rent increase in 2025-2026
- 4The rent-to-income ratio exceeds 35% for 28% of Brussels tenant households
- 5Rents for EPC A-C rated properties are rising 2x faster than for EPC E-G
Average rents by region in 2026
Statbel and Immoweb data from the first quarter of 2026 confirm the moderate upward trend of the Belgian rental market. The national average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment stands at EUR 785/month, up 2.1% year-on-year.
| Region | Average rent (2 bed.) | Annual change | Share of rental stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels | EUR 920 | +1.8% | 62% tenants |
| Flanders | EUR 810 | +2.3% | 28% tenants |
| Wallonia | EUR 680 | +2.4% | 35% tenants |
| Belgium | EUR 785 | +2.1% | 34% tenants |
Brussels is the only region where more than half of households are tenants. This rental pressure explains higher rents despite the new binding rent grid.
Average rents from Statbel (quarterly survey) + Immoweb barometer (published listings). The two sources may diverge by 5-10% as Statbel measures actual rents and Immoweb measures asking rents.
Ranking of major cities
| Rank | City | Average rent (2 bed.) | Annual change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uccle | EUR 1,150 | +1.2% |
| 2 | Waterloo | EUR 1,080 | +1.5% |
| 3 | Leuven | EUR 980 | +2.8% |
| 4 | Ghent | EUR 850 | +2.4% |
| 5 | Antwerp | EUR 820 | +2.1% |
| 6 | Namur | EUR 760 | +2.6% |
| 7 | Hasselt | EUR 740 | +1.9% |
| 8 | Liege | EUR 710 | +2.3% |
| 9 | Mons | EUR 650 | +2.7% |
| 10 | Charleroi | EUR 620 | +3.1% |
Walloon cities show the strongest increases in percentage terms, starting from lower levels. Charleroi (+3.1%) is experiencing catch-up growth driven by rising demand from Brussels tenants seeking affordable rents.
For investors, our ranking of the most profitable cities crosses this data with purchase prices.
Rent evolution 2020-2026
| Year | Average rent Belgium | Change | Inflation (health index) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | EUR 695 | +1.4% | 0.7% |
| 2021 | EUR 710 | +2.2% | 2.0% |
| 2022 | EUR 735 | +3.5% | 9.6% |
| 2023 | EUR 755 | +2.7% | 4.1% |
| 2024 | EUR 768 | +1.7% | 3.2% |
| 2025 | EUR 769 | +0.1% | 2.5% |
| 2026 | EUR 785 | +2.1% | 2.8% |
The 2022 inflation peak was passed on to rents with a one-year lag (via indexation). The 2025 slowdown (+0.1%) is explained by the temporary indexation freeze in Brussels for EPC F-G rated properties.
Factors behind rent increases
Three factors explain the evolution of rents in 2026:
1. Legal indexation (65% of the increase) Indexation based on the health index is the main driver. In 2026, the indexation coefficient is +2.1% for lease anniversaries. Consult our indexation guide to calculate your indexation.
2. The EPC effect (20% of the increase) Renovated properties (EPC A-C) rent for 10 to 15% more than equivalent EPC D-G properties. Demand is concentrated on energy-efficient units.
3. Structural shortage (15% of the increase) The number of properties put on the rental market is growing more slowly than demand, especially in Brussels and university cities (Leuven, Ghent, Liege).
An EPC B rated property rents for an average of 12% more than an EPC E in the same municipality. Energy renovation is a direct lever for rental income.
Affordability: the rent-to-income ratio
The rent-to-income ratio measures the share of income devoted to rent. The WHO recommends a maximum of 30%.
| Region | Average ratio | Households > 35% | Households > 40% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels | 33% | 28% | 18% |
| Flanders | 27% | 14% | 8% |
| Wallonia | 30% | 22% | 13% |
In Brussels, nearly one in three tenant households exceeds the 35% threshold. Housing grants aim to mitigate this imbalance.
Trends to watch
For 2026-2027, several trends are emerging:
- Moderate increase (+2 to 3%) driven by indexation and shortage
- Growing EPC gap: energy-efficient properties will pull averages upward
- Brussels cap: the binding rent grid should slow increases for new leases
- Walloon catch-up: Walloon cities will continue to grow faster (in %) than Brussels
- Remote work impact: demand is shifting towards the periphery and medium-sized cities
For landlords, these statistics are a benchmarking tool: compare your rent to the local market before any indexation or re-letting. Our rental management tool integrates market data to optimise your income.
Frequently asked questions
-
The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is EUR 785/month in Q1 2026. This figure masks large disparities: EUR 920 in Brussels, EUR 810 in Flanders and EUR 680 in Wallonia.
-
No. In 2025-2026, rents increased by 2.1% while inflation (health index) was 2.8%. The rent increase is mainly driven by legal indexation, not the market.
-
Charleroi, with an average rent of EUR 620/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Followed by Mons (EUR 650) and Liege (EUR 710). Conversely, Uccle (EUR 1,150) and Waterloo (EUR 1,080) are the most expensive municipalities.
Manage all your leases in one tool
Lease generation, MyRent registration, payment tracking, digital inventory. 14-day free trial, no card required.