Netherlands : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in Netherlands
How Much Does It Cost to Live in The Hague (Den Haag)?
The Hague is one of the larger cities in Netherlands, and because of that, its living standard is high.
Living expenses in the Hague are at the high end of normal (for Netherlands’ standards) when living in the very center of the city, and as you get further from it, the prices drop quickly.
You can live quite comfortably in some of the smaller areas around The Hague and still have no more than a 20–30 minute commute to the Hague city center.
You should also know that the Hague has a somewhat peaceful pace: after 17:00, everything closes and it pretty much falls asleep.
Cost of Living Breakdown in The Hague (Den Haag)
RESTAURANTS
Eating out is about average for European standards, as is getting a drink, so if you’re coming to the Hague from Europe, you won’t be surprised at the somewhat high prices. You can expect to spend around 17$ per meal per person plus something like 3$ for a very small bottle of Cola which means that you’ll probably spend around 20$ per person.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $17.20 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $5.73 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $2.42 |
MARKETS
Purchasing in a grocery store or a market is the best way to enjoy a variety of food and healthy groceries. Fresh veggies and fruit are always available at relatively low prices. If your grocery shopping experience turns out expensive, you can reduce its general price by shopping at cheaper alternatives like the market or stores such as ALDI. Count on spending around 60-80$ per week on groceries.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.12 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.26 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.86 |
TRANSPORTATION
Public transport is very good in the Hague and the city is very bicycle-friendly, so it’s easy to save some money by not getting a car. If you do need a car, there are various car sharing services spread all over the city. Public transport also works great and it allows you to move around easily. You can use the so-called “OV chipkaart” which is a very expensive, unique card for all public transport. There are also many discounts you can get.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $4.01 |
| Monthly Pass | $80.28 |
| Gasoline | $1.81 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities are rather expensive in the Hague. All the basic ones, including water, cooling, heating and garbage services, including taxes for water and trash (which are different in every district and even city) amount up to 180$ a month. Internet isn’t cheap either, costing around 40$ a month – including TV cable and phone (or you can get slow internet which will then cost you about 15$ a month).
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $180.63 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.13 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $42.77 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
Sports and fitness are not as pricey in the Hague as you would expect! A membership at a fitness club for one adult costs around 35$ a month. Keep in mind that most gyms in the Netherlands work on a yearly or a 6-month contract. Cinema tickets, in turn, are very expensive: going to the movies will cost you around whopping 13$ per person. Prices of cinema tickets very much depends on the venue, though.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $35.78 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $21.22 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $13.76 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Brand-name clothes usually have the same prices as in the rest of Europe which are generally higher than in the US, while the Hague has even higher prices for clothes than other European cities. For example, Levi’s jeans cost almost 100$ while quality running sneakers of brands like Nike cost more than 100$. Light pieces of clothing in chain stores like Zara cost around 30$.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $97.57 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $31.54 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $106.91 |
RENT PER MONTH
Rent per month is fairly high for Netherlands’ standards and a typical rental contract requires you to sign up for a year with your owner and allows you to terminate on a month’s notice afterwards. For an apartment in the city center, you’ll have to cash out around unbelievable 1100$. There are, however, some decent options for around 900$ for a one bedroom apartment, here and there, but that’s not the norm.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1153.86 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $880.17 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1886.05 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in The Hague (Den Haag)?
In the Hague, without a doubt, the biggest chunk of an average paycheck gets spent on rent which is ridiculously expensive in this city.
The next huge expense is the food and a large portion of people’s salaries gets spent in markets or grocery stores.
Restaurants take up the next spot on the list, since food can get pretty pricey, and those who are well-off eat in restaurants practically every day.
Transportation is very expensive too, while also being an everyday necessity for everyone.
As usual, the smallest amount of money is spent on clothes and accessories, while sports and leisure take up around 5% of all expenses.
Average Costs Breakdown
The Hague (Den Haag): Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Those that get a minimum wage of about 1500$ might have some hard time covering all expenses, especially if they’re renting an apartment in such an expensive country.
Still, the minimum wage in Netherlands is the third best in the EU.
However, average monthly net salary is pretty high, and though their expenses are high too, an average citizen of the Hague can live comfortably and have no problem earning for a living.
Of course, those renting an apartment will always have a harder time paying off their bills and rent, but generally speaking, the Hague has a high living standard.
The Hague Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: The Hague Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | MEDIUM |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | LOW |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | LOW |
| SCAMS RISK | LOW |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | LOW |
Cost of Living by City in Netherlands
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam |
82.14 |
| Eindhoven |
72.82 |
| Groningen |
72.29 |
| Leiden |
74.56 |
| Maastricht |
73.87 |
| Rotterdam |
74.08 |
| Utrecht |
76.3 |
Never thought I’d hear “high end of normal” and “peaceful pace” in the same sentence! Living in the city sounds great, but those costs really make you weigh the benefits. A 20-30 minute commute sounds like a small price to pay for a more budget-friendly lifestyle, especially if you can enjoy some quiet after hours!
It’s funny how a city can have such a calm vibe but still give your wallet a workout. Living in the center sounds like a solid way to keep your bank account on a diet, while those smaller areas seem like the magic trick to enjoying The Hague without feeling like you just went on a shopping spree. I guess it’s all about finding that sweet spot between peaceful living and budget-friendly choices!
I’m curious about the cost of living in those smaller areas around The Hague. Are there specific neighborhoods you would recommend where the prices are more affordable but still convenient for commuting?
It’s funny how a city can be both bustling and sleepy at the same time. The high living expenses definitely make me think twice about moving there, especially if I can find something a bit cozier on the outskirts. Who knew commuting could come with a side of saving money? But then again, the peace and quiet after hours does sound pretty tempting. Just hope it doesn’t come with too many extra costs on the fun side!
I’m not sure how peaceful it is if everything closes down at 5 PM. That seems a bit limiting, especially when you’re paying high living costs. What happens if you want to grab dinner or do anything after work? I guess living in the smaller areas sounds nice, but commuting daily can also add to those expenses. It’s a trade-off for sure.