Side-by-side city decision # Nanjing vs Brussels. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link NanjingChina3/6 VS BrusselsBelgium3/6 $855Nanjing monthly budget $2,175Brussels monthly budget 220 MbpsNanjing internet 155 MbpsBrussels internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget Nanjing Speed Fastest internet Nanjing Vibe Best nomad vibe Brussels Safety Highest safety Nanjing Air Cleanest air Brussels Walk Most walkable Brussels Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Nanjing](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/nanjing.md) China 3/6 Budget$855 Internet220 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Brussels](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/belgium/brussels.md) Belgium 3/6 Budget$2,175 Internet155 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricNanjingBrussels Total estimated budget $855 $2,175 1-bed center rent $420 $1,320 Coworking desk $180 $310 Local meal $3.2 $20.5 Cappuccino $3.4 $4.2 Gym membership $45 $48 Transport budget $35 $55 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricNanjingBrussels Internet speed 220 Mbps 155 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricNanjingBrussels Safety index 78/100 61/100 Air quality 58/100 67/100 Walkability 7/10 9/10 Female safety 8/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 9/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricNanjingBrussels Healthcare quality Good Excellent English proficiency Basic Excellent Climate type Humid subtropical Temperate oceanic Best time to visit Mar - May May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Nanjing](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/nanjing.md) China → ### Strengths * Affordable rent and everyday dining for a major Chinese city * Extensive, inexpensive metro network * Fast mobile and home internet infrastructure * Rich history, museums, parks, and Yangtze River scenery * Very convenient cashless payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay * Strong safety levels and a relaxed local atmosphere ### Trade-offs * English is limited outside international hotels and universities * Summer heat and humidity can be intense * Winter is damp and can feel colder than temperatures suggest * Internet access requires navigating the Great Firewall * Short-term visa rules are not designed for remote work * Air quality can worsen during polluted or hazy periods ### Common visa routes * Tourist (L) visa * Business (M) visa * Work (Z) visa with residence permit [Brussels](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/belgium/brussels.md) Belgium → ### Strengths * Excellent rail links across Belgium and Europe * Fast, reliable home broadband and widespread 5G * International workforce and strong English usability * High-quality healthcare and safe drinking water * Walkable central neighborhoods with extensive transit * Rich food, museum, and cultural scene ### Trade-offs * High rents, deposits, and utility bills * Frequent rain and long gray winter periods * Income tax and administration can be complex * Traffic and cycling infrastructure can feel uneven * Petty theft is a concern around major stations * French and Dutch paperwork can be challenging ### Common visa routes * Schengen short-stay visa * Belgian professional card for self-employed work * EU Blue Card or Belgian work permit Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.