Livability scores

• Walkabilityⓘ 18 / 20

  Ghent scores 87/100 for walkability, reflecting easy pedestrian access to daily errands and services in a compact urban fabric.

  Sources:

  • Immolytics Ghent Guide – Walkability score
  • SafeStreets – Ghent 15-minute-city walkability score
  • Vlaanderen Walkabilityscore methodology
• Rail Connectivityⓘ 8.7 / 10

  Ghent-Sint-Pieters is a major Belgian rail hub with frequent intercity and regional trains linking Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges and other cities.

  Sources:

  • Belgian Rail (SNCB/NMBS) – Ghent-Sint-Pieters station info
  • Belgian Rail – Timetables and routes
• Public Transitⓘ 8 / 10

  Ghent has extensive tram and bus networks operated by De Lijn, with multiple urban and regional lines radiating from key hubs like Gent-Sint-Pieters.

  Sources:

  • De Lijn – Gent tram and bus network
  • De Lijn – Network maps and timetables
  • Immolytics Ghent Guide – Public transport score
• Affordabilityⓘ 6 / 10

  Ghent’s affordability is moderate because Numbeo shows a cost-of-living index of 70.58 and rent index of 29.46, while Brussels is costlier on the same source.

  Sources:

  • Numbeo – Cost of Living in Gent
  • Numbeo – Cost of Living Comparison Between Brussels and Gent
  • Eurostat – Euro indicators: Annual inflation up to 3.3% in the euro area
• Safetyⓘ 8 / 10

  Ghent is rated with relatively low crime and good perceived safety compared with many European cities, contributing to its livability.

  Sources:

  • CityMatch – Ghent safety score 8.0/10
  • LocaleChoice – Graslei/Korenlei safety score
• Air Qualityⓘ 6 / 10

  EEA data show Ghent’s air quality is generally acceptable, with PM2.5 and NO2 levels mostly within EU standards but not top-performing.

  Sources:

  • EEA – Air quality in Belgium (Flanders urban areas)
  • CityMatch – Ghent environment & air quality 7.0/10
• Quality Of Lifeⓘ 9 / 10

  Oxford Economics ranks Ghent 9th globally for quality of life, citing high scores on income, life expectancy, housing, culture and connectivity.

  Sources:

  • VRT NWS – Ghent 9th on global quality of life ranking
  • CityMatch – Ghent overall livability 7.1/10
• Food Cultureⓘ 8 / 10

  Ghent has a strong restaurant scene with several Michelin-listed venues and is promoted as a culinary city by local tourism authorities.

  Sources:

  • Michelin Guide – Restaurants in Ghent
  • Visit Gent – Food and drink in Ghent
• Car Free Practicalityⓘ 8 / 10

  Ghent’s mobility plan created a large low-traffic city center, prioritizing walking, cycling and public transit and discouraging through car traffic.

  Sources:

  • Stad Gent – Circulation Plan overview
  • Stad Gent – Low-traffic city centre information

Advantages & drawbacks

Monthly costs

• Estimated monthly cost €2,000 – €2,400

Typical prices

• Inexpensive meal €18
• Dinner for two (mid-range) €80
• Cappuccino €3.5
• Beer (0.5L) €4.5
• Groceries / month €260

Prices are indicative and vary by season and venue.

Food guide

Ghent’s food culture blends classic Flemish comfort dishes, craft beer and chocolate with a dynamic student-driven restaurant scene. Traditional specialties like stewed meats, waffles and fries coexist with modern bistros, vegetarian kitchens and international cuisine across the compact historic center. Historic shops and new food halls make local ingredients very accessible.

Signature dishes

• Gentse WaterzooiCreamy stew of chicken or fish with vegetables and potatoes, typical of Ghent.
• Stoofvlees (Flemish beef stew)Slow-cooked beer-braised beef stew, usually served with Belgian fries.
• Belgian FritesTwice-fried potatoes served with sauces; Ghent has specialty frites shops.
• Belgian WafflesCrisp, airy waffles often topped with fruit, cream or chocolate, popular along Graslei.
• Garnaalkroketten (Shrimp croquettes)Deep-fried croquettes filled with North Sea shrimp and creamy roux.
• Tierenteyn-Verlent MustardPowerful local mustard from a historic Ghent shop, used with meats and sandwiches.
• Speculoos & Ghent sweetsCaramelized spiced biscuits and traditional candies from old confectioneries.

Where to eat

• Hal 16 Food hallFormer brick warehouse turned food hall with barbecue, Italian and other stalls, a key Ghent food hotspot.
• Tierenteyn-Verlent Mustard shopHistoric mustard shop near the Graslei with intense local mustard and classic interior.
• Ooost Market-restaurantLunch spot and marketplace focused on East Flemish regional products and producers.
• Vrijmoed Fine dining restaurantTwo-Michelin-star restaurant highlighting vegetables and refined tasting menus; reservations essential.
• Meme Gusta Belgian/Flemish bistroLively spot near Gravensteen focused on Belgian and Flemish comfort dishes.

Markets & food shopping

• Hal 16 Food Hall
• Ooost Marketplace
• Kouter Flower Market (with food stalls on Sundays)
• Vrijdagmarkt area (weekly market with food vendors)