Cost of living
Cost of living in Dutch cities
Honest 2026 figures on rent, utilities, groceries, and the expat fit for the Dutch cities most internationals end up in.
Amsterdam
ExtremeThe default expat landing pad. Highest rents in the country and brutal viewing competition, but also the densest English-speaking professional ecosystem and best international connectivity.
- 1-bed rent
- €1,800–€2,500/month
- Population
- ~920,000 (city), ~1.5M (greater area)
Utrecht
HighOften described as Amsterdam's quieter, more livable cousin. Central location, excellent train connections, and a substantial expat population — without quite the same housing extremes.
- 1-bed rent
- €1,400–€1,900/month
- Population
- ~370,000
Eindhoven
ModerateThe tech-and-engineering hub. ASML, Philips, and the Brainport ecosystem drive a strong expat presence with proportionally lower housing costs and more space per euro.
- 1-bed rent
- €1,100–€1,500/month
- Population
- ~245,000
Rent figures are free-sector market rates from May 2026 listings. Actual rents vary widely by neighbourhood and timing — use these as starting reference points and verify on Pararius / Funda / HousingAnywhere before signing.