key Takeaways: Brussels Housing Market

• Brussels is the most expensive region in Belgium.
• Outside Brussels, the average price for a non-detached house is about 260,000 euros.
• In Brussels, that same amount might only buy you an apartment.
• Apartment prices are closer,averaging 243,000 euros in Belgium and 260,000 euros in Brussels.
• House prices in Brussels experienced fluctuations in 2024, rising in the third quarter before falling again in the fourth.

The High Cost of Detached Houses in Brussels

For those dreaming of a non-detached house in Brussels, prepare to pay a premium. The average price tag sits at a hefty 495,000 euros. This stark difference underscores Brussels’ position as the priciest real estate market in the country.

Apartment Prices: A Closer Look

While still more expensive than the national average, the gap in apartment prices between Brussels and the rest of Belgium is less pronounced. An apartment in Brussels averages 260,000 euros, compared to 243,000 euros nationally.

Geographical Disparities Within Brussels

The real estate landscape within Brussels is far from uniform. Notable price variations exist between different municipalities.

Apartment Price Hotspots and Bargains

• Most Expensive: Sint-pieters-Woluwe leads the pack with an average apartment price of 345,000 euros.
• Most Affordable: anderlecht offers the most budget-kind options, with apartments averaging 196,000 euros.

Price trends also varied across municipalities last year. In more expensive municipalities, apartment prices last year (almost +7 percent in Auderghem and almost +5 percent in Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe) rose while they fell in cheaper municipalities (-15 percent in Sint-Joost-ten-Node and almost -7 percent in Koekelberg).

House Prices: The Municipality Effect

The disparities are even more pronounced when it comes to non-detached houses.

House Price Extremes

• Most Expensive: Ixelles commands the highest prices, with houses averaging 830,000 euros.
• Most Affordable: Sint-jans-Molenbeek offers the lowest entry point, with houses averaging 336,000 euros.

Adding to the complexity, neighboring municipalities can experience drastically different price trends. Remarkable outliers are the two neighborhood municipalities of Vorst and Sint-Gillis: in Vorst house prices rose by 25 percent and in Sint-Gillis they fell by 15 percent.

2024 Price Fluctuations

The Statbel data reveals that Brussels real estate prices didn’t follow a consistent upward trajectory in 2024.

Brussels real estate prices did not rise in a straight line last year: in the third quarter of 2024 a house cost 10,000 euros more – and an apartment 7,000 euros more – than the annual price. House prices fell again in the last quarter.

Statbel, Belgian Statistics Agency

This suggests a market that is sensitive to broader economic conditions and potentially influenced by factors such as interest rates and consumer confidence.

FAQ: Brussels Real Estate

Why is Brussels so expensive?

High demand due to its status as a capital city and a major center for international organizations.

Are there affordable areas in Brussels?

Yes, municipalities like Anderlecht and Sint-Jans-Molenbeek offer relatively lower prices.

Did prices rise consistently in 2024?

No, prices fluctuated, with a rise in the third quarter followed by a fall in the fourth.

Where can I find more detailed data?

Consult the official Statbel website for comprehensive real estate statistics.