With strong universities and an active labour market, the Netherlands is one of the more popular destinations for work, study, tourism and business. Before moving, it pays to look closely at what daily life costs, from rent and insurance to transport, food and everything else, and to build a realistic budget around it.
The cost of living in the Netherlands depends on the city and on how you live. This article sets out housing prices and the other everyday costs in detail. If you are planning to move to the Netherlands, it is worth reading in full. For a finer breakdown you can also use Numbeo, selecting a Dutch city to see figures by province and city. All figures below are indicative and change over time.
Buying and renting a home
Dutch housing costs are driven by high demand, rising wages and limited supply. Together these have pushed prices up in both the sale and rental markets. The table below covers the cost of buying property in the Netherlands.
| Property type | Average price (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Apartment in the suburbs | 300,000-400,000 |
| Apartment in the city centre | 450,000-600,000 |
| Apartment in large, well-known cities | 400,000-550,000 |
If you are applying for a Dutch student visa, the figures below cover renting rather than buying:
| Property type | Average monthly rent (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Studio in the city centre | 1,200–1,500 |
| One-bedroom apartment in the city centre | 1,500–2,200 |
| Two-bedroom apartment in the city centre | 2,500–3,500 |
| Studio outside the city centre | 900–1,200 |
| One-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | 1,000–1,300 |
| Two-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | 1,500–2,000 |
Housing is more expensive in the larger cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht than in smaller ones. The reason is short supply against rising demand. Smaller cities such as Groningen and Tilburg have lower housing costs.
Average house prices in the Netherlands
The average purchase price of a house in the Netherlands is around EUR 520,000. Rising wages, limited housing supply and mortgage rate movements have all contributed to that level. Prices vary widely by region, and the figure above is a national average rather than what you would pay in any particular city.
Transport costs
Public transport is a significant part of the cost of living in the Netherlands, and fares move with inflation, urban transport policy and demand. The table below covers the main modes of transport.
| Mode of transport | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| City bus | EUR 2.50–3.00 |
| Taxi | Capped by the national maximum taxi tariff, revised yearly; check the current rate |
| Metro | EUR 2.50–3.00 |
| Uber | EUR 2.50–3.00 base fare + EUR 0.50/min |
| Intercity train | EUR 25–50 |
| Local train | EUR 2.50–4.00 |
| Intercity coach | EUR 10–30 |
Taxi and ride-hailing fares rise at peak times. An OV-chipkaart saves money if you travel often. Intercity trains are faster and more comfortable than intercity buses, but they cost more.
Buying a car
A car in the Netherlands typically costs a newcomer between EUR 25,000 and EUR 45,000. That range covers good-quality used vehicles and economical models. The Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i30 and Ford Focus are popular choices because of their fuel economy, reasonable running costs and parts availability.
Buying a car means registering with the Dutch road transport authority (RDW) and paying road tax, which varies with the weight and fuel type of the vehicle. Newcomers holding a foreign driving licence can buy a car, but they generally have to exchange that licence for a Dutch one within 185 days of establishing residence.
Food and groceries
Food is the next major component of the cost of living in the Netherlands. Reported price increases run to around 24.5 per cent for oils and fats, 15.6 per cent for dairy (milk, cheese and eggs), 13.1 per cent for meat, 10.1 per cent for vegetables and 9.2 per cent for fish. Typical prices for everyday items are:
- bread (1 loaf) EUR 2.50-3.00
- rice (1 kg) EUR 2.50-3.50
- milk (1 litre) EUR 1.10-1.30
- vegetables (1 kg) EUR 2.50-4.00
- meat (1 kg) EUR 10.00-15.00
- chicken (1 kg) EUR 6.00-8.00
- fish (1 kg) EUR 8.00-12.00
- eggs (12) EUR 2.50-3.50
- cheese (1 kg) EUR 10.00-15.00
- butter (250 g) EUR 2.50-3.50
- cooking oil (1 litre) EUR 2.50-4.00
- mineral water (1.5 litres) EUR 0.80-1.20
- soft drink (330 ml) EUR 0.80-1.00
- fruit juice (1 litre) EUR 1.50-2.50
Eating out
Restaurant prices in the Netherlands vary with the meal, the location and the style of the place. Amsterdam is generally more expensive than the rest of the country. Average prices in cafes and restaurants are:
- breakfast EUR 10-20
eggs, bread, cheese and coffee or tea. - lunch EUR 8-20
a sandwich, salad or light dish at an ordinary restaurant. - dinner EUR 15-45
depending on the restaurant and the dish, from mid-range to upmarket. - snacks EUR 3-7
frites, a croquette or other quick food. - a cup of coffee EUR 2.50-5
depending on the type and the location.
Leisure
Leisure is another part of the cost of living that matters when you move, and it varies with the activity and the venue. Cinema tickets for two run around EUR 30 to EUR 35, while concert tickets range from EUR 40 to EUR 120 depending on the act and the venue. Other typical prices:
- cinema tickets for 2 EUR 30-35
- theatre tickets for 2 EUR 243
- dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant EUR 55-61
- concert ticket EUR 40-120
- bicycle hire, per month EUR 15-30
Toiletries and personal care
Basic personal care items such as shampoo, deodorant, soap and toothbrushes start at around EUR 2 in the Netherlands. Prices rise to EUR 25 or more depending on the brand and the product. Typical prices for everyday items:
- shampoo, 1 litre EUR 2-22
- deodorant, 150 ml EUR 2.74-7.99
- soap EUR 2.64-25.91
- toothbrush EUR 1.59-10.80
- toilet paper, 4 rolls EUR 2.00
Sport and fitness costs
Gym membership starts at around EUR 30 a month and can reach EUR 60 or more. Tickets for sporting events start at around EUR 15 depending on the sport and the level of competition, and can reach EUR 100 or more for major fixtures. Other sport-related costs are set out below.
| Type of sports activity | Cost in EUR |
|---|---|
| Monthly gym membership | EUR 30-60 |
| Ticket for a sports match | EUR 15-100 |
| Group fitness classes | EUR 10-25 |
| Sports pitch rental, per hour | EUR 10-30 |
Cost of living compared across four major Dutch cities
Choosing where to settle depends partly on the local job market and universities, and knowing the cost of living helps you decide. The table below compares the overall costs and standards in the four main Dutch cities.
| City | Cost Advantages | Cost Drawbacks | Overall Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Shops and restaurants across a wide price range Better access to higher-paying jobs Strong tourism sector with excellent facilities | High rental and property purchase costs High prices for food and services | The largest and most expensive Dutch city for housing and daily costs Best suited to those with higher incomes |
| Rotterdam | Housing costs noticeably lower than Amsterdam More affordable public transport | Higher prices in certain areas such as restaurants and entertainment | A modern city with lower costs than Amsterdam |
| Utrecht | Housing and food cheaper than Amsterdam High quality of life | High transport costs in some districts | An excellent city to live in, more affordable than Amsterdam and Rotterdam; well suited to families |
| The Hague | Housing and service costs lower than Amsterdam Access to government and international institutions | High prices at restaurants and leisure venues | Suited to those seeking a quieter life alongside excellent services, with costly leisure |
Amsterdam is the most expensive city in the Netherlands and suits people on higher incomes. Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and the smaller cities are all cheaper than the capital.
Moving to the Netherlands with Aval Visa
The cost of living in the Netherlands varies by city. Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the largest and most expensive, carry higher costs for housing, food and services, while Utrecht and The Hague are more affordable and suit families and students better. For qualified professionals on good salaries the Netherlands is a strong destination for a work-based move, and Utrecht and The Hague make more sense for students on a tighter budget.
If you are planning to move to the Netherlands or to study at a Dutch university, the Aval Visa team advises on student visas and on the Netherlands startup visa. Complete the free consultation form and our advisers will get back to you.
