Netherlands🇳🇱

At a Glance

How Netherlands compares across key indices

Quality of Life211Safety72Healthcare77Affordability72Climate87Clean Air23

Cost of Living

72 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

72/100

Healthcare

77/100

Quality of Life

211/200

Climate

87/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Netherlands

Cost of Living

72

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

35

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

66

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

80

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $2,390 in Groningen to $3,899 in Amsterdam

City Costs Comparison

Groningen

Cheapest

$2,390/mo

Food$238

Eindhoven

$2,773/mo

Food$225

Leiden

$2,779/mo

Food$229

Delft

$2,888/mo

Food$277

The Hague (Den Haag)

$2,968/mo

Food$243

Rotterdam

$3,028/mo

Food$244

Haarlem

$3,208/mo

Food$277

Utrecht

$3,295/mo

Food$224

See all 9 cities below

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Netherlands — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

72/100

Crime Index

28/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

51/100

Mixed perception

Walking Safety

Daytime83
Nighttime65

18 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Drug-related crime
Low39
Property crimes
Low35
Violent crimes
Very Low24
Corruption & bribery
Very Low18

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being insulted or harassed
Low30
Things stolen from car
Low27
Home broken into
Low26
Being physically attacked
Very Low25
Being mugged or robbed
Very Low24
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low20
Car stolen
Very Low19

Based on 2,148 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Netherlands

Netherlands has 9 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $2,390 in Groningen to $3,899 in Amsterdam. The Hague (Den Haag) leads on safety, scoring 78/100. The Hague (Den Haag) ranks highest for quality of life at 230/200.

💸Most Affordable

Groningen

$2,390/mo

Safest

The Hague (Den Haag)

78/100

Best Quality of Life

The Hague (Den Haag)

230/200

Best Healthcare

The Hague (Den Haag)

82/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Groningen$2,39076/100209/20071/10022
Eindhoven$2,77377/100218/20075/10021
Leiden$2,779————
Delft$2,888————
The Hague (Den Haag)$2,96878/100230/20082/10018
Rotterdam$3,02870/100210/20079/10024
Haarlem$3,208————
Utrecht$3,29573/100211/20079/10029
Amsterdam$3,89970/100207/20075/10027

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Netherlands

Healthcare Index

77/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment92/100
Friendliness & Courtesy80/100
Accuracy & Completeness79/100
Staff Skill & Competency78/100
Speed of Service75/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist68/100
Cost Satisfaction69/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 719 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
50.8%
Private
40.9%
Employer Sponsored
7.2%
None
1.1%
Healthcare77Safety72Quality of Life211
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Environment

Clean

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Netherlands

Pollution Index

23/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality92/100
Comfortable to Spend Time87/100
Green Spaces & Parks81/100
Air Quality78/100
Garbage Disposal78/100
Clean & Tidy76/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution33/100
Water Pollution18/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 713 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Netherlands

Average One-Way Commute

23minutes

Short

Traffic Index

85

Below average congestion

Inefficiency

143

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

2.0kg/trip

How People Commute

Bicycle48.1%
Car21.5%
Walking11.3%
Train/Metro7.3%
Bus/Trolleybus5.2%
Working from Home3.3%
Tram/Streetcar2.0%
Motorcycle1.3%

Based on 607 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Netherlands, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Netherlands?

Netherlands has a cost of living index of 72 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,390 in Groningen and reach $3,899 in Amsterdam.

What is the cheapest city in Netherlands for expats?

Groningen is the most affordable city in Netherlands with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $2,390 for a single person including rent. Eindhoven is the next most affordable at $2,773/mo.

Is Netherlands safe for expats?

Netherlands has a safety index of 72/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, The Hague (Den Haag) scores highest on safety at 78/100.

What is the best city in Netherlands for expats and digital nomads?

The Hague (Den Haag) ranks highest for quality of life in Netherlands, scoring 230/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,968/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Groningen offers the lowest monthly costs at $2,390/mo.

How good is healthcare in Netherlands?

Netherlands scores 77/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it excellent by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is Netherlands cheaper than the United States?

Yes. Netherlands's cost of living is roughly 28% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 65% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Netherlands?

Netherlands has a pollution index of 23/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Netherlands

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