Despite the new student digs tax of 190 euros a year in Ghent, Brussels is still the most expensive city to rent a private student room. Hasselt, capital of Limburg, on the other hand, is the cheapest student city, according to most recent figures from the professional association of real estate agents (CIB).
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Brussels still ‘most expensive’ for student digs despite new student room tax in Ghent
Colin Clapson
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Ghent’s Student Council believes the new city tax on student rooms of 190 euros a year will make living in student digs even more unaffordable for students in the East Flemish capital. But which student city is the most expensive to live in?
The latest figures from real estate federation CIB show that Brussels is still generally the most expensive place to rent a student room. The Brussels municipalities of Elsene and the City of Brussels are the most expensive locations, dearer than Ghent or Leuven. Hasselt is the cheapest student city.
Average student digs price per city
In their most recent “Kotkompas”, student housing provider Diggit Student Life and independent real estate expert Stadim also identify Brussels as the most expensive region to live in student digs at the moment. In the Brussels region, the average price is higher for each room type.
Average rents excluding costs 2024-25 (From top to bottom: room, room plus sanitation, studio and "average").
What influences the price?
Multiple factors, of course, influence the price. A shortage in supply and high demand for student rooms affects the price. Inflation, location or type of room and facilities also play a role. Certain fees or taxes can also impact. These taxes are often passed on to the student.
Ghent is not the only city that is levying a tax on student digs. Several Flemish and Brussels municipalities levy a ‘tax on furnished accommodation’ or a ‘tax on second homes’ in which student rooms are also included.
Leuven has been doing this for some time. In Leuven, the tax on second residences is reduced to 118 euros for licensed rooms and studios smaller than 60 square metres.
Then again, in Elsene - currently the most expensive municipality on the list - there is an exemption for the tax on second residences if a student can prove that they are taking full-time classes, Gaëlle Zguimi, spokesperson for mayor Roman De Reusme (Francophone socialist PS), explains. But ‘if a landlord lets student accommodation to students, he is taxed by the municipality if the accommodation is furnished.’
In Hasselt, the municipal residence tax is 80 euros per student room per year. The tax, according to alderman for housing Dries Martens (Flemish socialist Vooruit), was created especially for student digs. Studios, on the other hand, are not taxed.