Cost of Living in the Netherlands: A 2025 Expat Guide

If you're thinking about moving to the Netherlands, one of the first things you'll probably wonder is: "Will my paycheck be enough to cover my living costs?"

The average cost of living in the Netherlands can be anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 euros each month. How much you spend depends a lot on your lifestyle, where you live, and how many people are in your household.

Amsterdam and Utrecht are among the priciest cities to live in the Netherlands. Rotterdam used to be more affordable, but rent prices have gone up quickly in recent years. For a 60m2 apartment in Rotterdam, you might pay between 1,100 and 1,400 euros. Now, Rotterdam can be more expensive than cities like Eindhoven or Groningen. On the bright side, cities like Enschede and Tilburg are still quite affordable.

In this guide, I'll break down the monthly living costs you need to think about when living in the Netherlands. I'll start by sharing a real-life example of how much my partner and I spend each month. These costs won't include things like Netflix or Spotify subscriptions.

Keep in mind: Please use the amounts and estimates in this article as a guide to help you plan your monthly budget. Don't take these numbers as set in stone. It's a good idea to do your own research to find the best services and options that fit your personal needs.

Now, let's dive into the details of Dutch living expenses!

Average Income in the Netherlands

Let's start with the basics of Dutch cost of living. In the Netherlands, the average Joe (or should I say, average Jan?) is assumed to earn about 44,000 euros per year as of 2025. That's what we call the modal income. Now, before you get too excited, remember that's the gross income. After taxes, our friend Jan would be taking home about 2,925 euros per month. Not too shabby, right? This gives us a good starting point to understand living expenses in the Netherlands.

Rental Costs in Major Dutch Cities

Now, let's talk about one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of life in Netherlands: housing. Renting in Holland can be quite the adventure, especially in the bigger cities. Amsterdam, as you might guess, is the priciest of them all. Based on recent data from Pararius (a popular rental website), here's what you can expect to pay per month for different apartment sizes:

- In Amsterdam: 1,600€ for 60m², 2,124€ for 80m², 2,655€ for 100m²

- In Utrecht: 1,265€ for 60m², 1,700€ for 80m², 2,100€ for 100m²

- In Rotterdam, The Hague, or Eindhoven: 1,100€ for 60m², 1,500€ for 80m², 1,850€ for 100m²

I remember when I first moved here, these prices made my eyes pop out of my head! But don't worry, there are always ways to find more affordable options if you're willing to look beyond the city centers.

Grocery Expenses

Next up on our list of living expenses in the Netherlands: groceries. According to the Dutch website Nibud, the average person spends about 7 to 8 euros per day on food, which comes out to around 225 euros per month. In my experience, this is pretty spot-on if you're cooking most of your meals at home.

Monthly Fixed Costs Breakdown

Now, let's break down the monthly fixed costs for our average Jan living in Utrecht in a cozy 60m² apartment. This will give you a good idea of typical life expenses in Netherlands:

- Rent: 1,300€

- Renters insurance: 20€

- Utilities (gas, electric, water): 170€

- Internet: 70€

- Phone plan: 15€ (you can find cheaper options too!)

- Health insurance: 130€

- Trash tax: 26€ (yep, that's a thing here)

Total fixed costs: 1,731€

Public Transportation Costs

When considering the cost of living in Holland, don't forget about getting around! While biking is super popular for local trips (and great exercise!), you'll probably want to use public transport for longer journeys. Budget about 50€ per month for this. The train system here is generally pretty good, although I'll admit I have a love-hate relationship with it. Some days it's perfect, other days... well, let's just say patience is a virtue!

Eating Out and Entertainment Expenses

Now, what about the fun stuff? Eating out can significantly impact your living cost in Holland. It can be quite expensive compared to cooking at home. A casual lunch might set you back about 20€, while a nice dinner could easily cost 50-60€ per person. If you're like our Jan and enjoy going out once a week, budget around 300€ per month for this.

Clothing and Personal Care

Don't forget about looking good! Our Jan might spend 100-150€ on clothes and about 40€ on haircuts and other personal care items each month. These are all part of the typical living expenses in the Netherlands.

Subscriptions and Gifts

And in this digital age, subscriptions are a thing too – maybe 20€ a month for various services. One thing that caught me off guard when I moved here was the gift-giving culture. Birthdays are a big deal in the Netherlands, so make sure to set aside some money for presents.

Vacation Expenses

Of course, with all those vacation days the Dutch get (lucky ducks!), you'll want to save for some trips too. These social aspects are an important part of the Dutch cost of living that often gets overlooked.

Financial Considerations for Families

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Our Jan, with their 44,000€ salary, can manage to live comfortably in Utrecht in their own place. But what if Jan wanted to start a family? Childcare in Holland isn't cheap, and the costs of raising a kid add up quickly. This is a crucial consideration when looking at the cost of living in the Netherlands, especially for families.

Affordability in Different Cities

If Jan wanted to move to Amsterdam, they might struggle to find a centrally-located 60m² apartment for 1,600€ – it could easily be 1,700-1,800€, and probably smaller too.

Conclusion

So, what's the takeaway from all this? The cost of life in Netherlands can be high, especially in the bigger cities. But with some careful budgeting and perhaps a willingness to live a bit outside the city center, it's definitely doable on an average salary.

If you're thinking about making the move, start by researching the specific city you're interested in. Prices can vary a lot depending on the neighborhood. And don't be afraid to reach out to expat communities for advice – they've been through this before and can offer some great tips about living costs in Holland!

Remember, everyone's situation is different. Your specific lifestyle, career, and personal preferences will all play a role in determining your cost of living in the Netherlands. Use this information as a starting point, but don't be afraid to dig deeper and create a budget that works for you.

Living in the Netherlands has been an amazing experience for me, despite the occasional sticker shock. The quality of life, the beautiful cities, and the friendly people make it all worthwhile. So if you're dreaming of windmills, canals, and stroopwafels, don't let the costs scare you off. With some planning and budgeting, you too could be calling this lovely country home.

So, what do you think? Ready to start planning your Dutch adventure? Whether you're seriously considering a move or just daydreaming, I hope this breakdown has given you a clearer picture of what life expenses in Netherlands might look like. Understanding the Dutch cost of living is crucial for anyone considering a move, and I hope this guide has been helpful.

Remember, while the cost of living in Holland can seem high at first glance, many expats find that the quality of life more than makes up for it. From excellent healthcare and education systems to a great work-life balance, there's a lot to love about life in the Netherlands.

And hey, if you do make the move, maybe I'll see you biking around Utrecht someday! Until then, keep dreaming, keep planning, and don't hesitate to reach out to the Dutch expat community for more insights into living expenses in the Netherlands. Veel succes! (That's Dutch for "Good luck!")