Is Galway really cheaper than Borgerhout?

Based on typical 1-bedroom rent, Borgerhout is approximately 133% cheaper than Galway. Overall cost of living including rent follows a similar pattern.

What is the average rent in Galway vs Borgerhout?

In Borgerhout, a 1-bedroom in the city centre costs around $980. In Galway, the same costs around $2,281.

What is the FIRE Score for Borgerhout?

Rewire Abroad gives Borgerhout a FIRE Score of 62/100, meaning it provides a solid foundation for FIRE planning.

Is Borgerhout good for digital nomads?

Rewire Abroad gives Borgerhout a Nomad Score of 0/100. Internet speeds average 175Mbps.

Is Borgerhout or Galway safer?

Based on the Safety Index, Galway scores higher at 68.79 vs Borgerhout's 68.

Can I retire in Ireland as a foreigner?

Many foreigners retire in Ireland. We recommend checking visa options and consulting an expat tax specialist.

Compare Cities

Borgerhout vs Galway

Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo

GalwayOverall winner

Borgerhout is approximately 133% less expensive than Galway based on cost of living including rent. This makes Borgerhout a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.

Borgerhout has a FIRE Score of 62/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 68, which is relatively safe.

Recommended profile: Borgerhout is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Side by side

Best in row

Belgium

Borgerhout

Increased Caution

Nomad74

Ireland

Galway

Normal Precautions

Nomad83

Cost

Cost of living index

67.8

67.4

One person, excluding rent

$1,051/mo

$1,045/mo

Family of four, excluding rent

$3,797/mo

$3,774/mo

Total monthly, rent included

$2,850/mo

$2,736/mo

Monthly savings

$150/mo

$264/mo

Housing

1BR, city centre

$980

$2,281

1BR, outside centre

$820

$1,936

3BR, city centre

$1,800

$3,632

3BR, outside centre

$1,520

$2,725

Scores

FIRE score

67/100

47/100

Nomad score

48/100

53/100

Retiree score

51/100

70/100

Overall score

74/100

83/100

Safety & infrastructure

Safety index

68.8

Internet speed

175 Mbps

95 Mbps

Walkability score

Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.

About these cities

About Galway

Galway is a small city that punches well above its weight: 83 thousand people, an 82/100 expat score, and a safety index of 88/100 make it one of the easiest soft landings in Ireland. The catch is rent. A 1-bedroom in the city center runs $2,281/mo against an average local net salary of $2,886/mo, so unless you are remote or dual-income, the math gets ugly fast. Digital nomads and retirees will get the most out of it, though retirees should note the Stamp 0 income floor of $4,350/mo sits well above what most locals earn.

About Ireland

A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.

Galway costs roughly 1% less than Borgerhout. Borgerhout has significantly faster average internet speeds (175 Mbps vs 95 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.

Household

Lifestyle

Monthly income (USD)

Schooling

Borgerhout is approximately 133% less expensive than Galway based on cost of living including rent. This makes Borgerhout a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.

Borgerhout has a FIRE Score of 62/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 68, which is relatively safe.

Recommended profile: Borgerhout is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Borgerhout

Belgium

Increased Caution

Nomad74

About Borgerhout

Borgerhout is a solid mid-tier pick for expats who want Antwerp access without Antwerp prices, with a 1-bedroom outside the centre at $820/mo and a cost of living index of 68/100. The expat score of 73/100 and digital nomad score of 75/100 reflect a workable setup, though the retiree score of 56/100 and FIRE score of 64/100 suggest it is not a retirement or early-exit paradise. Dageraadplaats gives the area a real neighbourhood anchor, and English is widely spoken, but the 79% average humidity and 32/100 crime index are trade-offs you should weigh honestly.

About Belgium

Offers a clear pathway to citizenship, though no specific retiree visa is available. Those seeking long-term stays may explore other visa categories. Rent in Brussels is under $1,000/month, roughly 70% less than a typical US city center. However, income tax can hit 50% plus communal surcharges, making it a high-tax destination for remote workers.

MONTHLY SAVINGS

$150/mo

Nomad Viability

Moderate Suitability

Cost of Living (Without Rent)

Single Person$1,051/mo

Family of Four$3,797/mo

Rent Per Month

1 Bedroom (City Centre)

$980

1 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

$820

3 Bedroom (City Centre)

$1,800

3 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

$1,520

Attractiveness

FIRE Score

67/100

Retiree Score

51/100

Nomad Score

48/100

City Details

Overall Winner

Galway

Ireland

Normal Precautions

Nomad83

About Galway

About Ireland

MONTHLY SAVINGS

$264/mo

Nomad Viability

Moderate Suitability

Cost of Living (Without Rent)

Single Person$1,045/mo

Family of Four$3,774/mo

Rent Per Month

1 Bedroom (City Centre)

$2,281

1 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

$1,936

3 Bedroom (City Centre)

$3,632

3 Bedroom (Outside Centre)

$2,725

Attractiveness

FIRE Score

47/100

Retiree Score

70/100

Nomad Score

53/100

City Details

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Battle of Lifestyles

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Metric	Borgerhout	Galway
1BR Apartment (Center)	$980	$2281.46
1BR Apartment (Outside)	$820	$1935.54
3BR Apartment (Center)	$1800	$3632.14
3BR Apartment (Outside)	$1520	$2724.69
Safety Index	68	68.79
Internet Speed	175Mbps	95Mbps
Walkability Score	N/A	N/A

Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices

Category	Borgerhout	Galway
Total (rent included)	N/A	$2,896/mo
Excluding rent	N/A	$960/mo
Rent	N/A	$1,936/mo
Groceries	N/A	$221/mo
Dining out	N/A	$224/mo
Entertainment & lifestyle	N/A	$134/mo
Utilities & connectivity	N/A	$315/mo
Transport	N/A	$66.00/mo

Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.

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