The Netherlands🌍
At a Glance
How The Netherlands compares across key indices
Cost of Living
80 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
85/100
Healthcare
74/100
Quality of Life
164/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in The Netherlands
Cost of Living
80
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
60
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
80
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
84
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in The Netherlands - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
85/100
Crime Index
25/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in The Netherlands
The Netherlands has 240 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,624 in Spijkenisse to $2,030 in Amsterdam. Groningen leads on safety, scoring 85/100. Amsterdam-Zuidoost ranks highest for quality of life at 163/200.
Spijkenisse
$1,624/mo
Groningen
85/100
Amsterdam-Zuidoost
163/200
Amsterdam
84/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | $2,030 | 81/100 | 160/200 | 84/100 | 27 |
| Rotterdam | $1,830 | 83/100 | 161/200 | 79/100 | 25 |
| The Hague | $1,779 | 84/100 | 162/200 | 77/100 | 23 |
| Utrecht | $1,760 | 85/100 | 162/200 | 77/100 | 22 |
| Groningen | $1,724 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 75/100 | 20 |
| Eindhoven | $1,721 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 75/100 | 20 |
| Tilburg | $1,716 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 75/100 | 20 |
| Breda | $1,700 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 74/100 | 19 |
| Nijmegen | $1,696 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 74/100 | 19 |
| Almere Stad | $1,696 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 74/100 | 19 |
| Haarlem | $1,689 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 74/100 | 18 |
| Arnhem | $1,689 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 74/100 | 18 |
| 's-Hertogenbosch | $1,689 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 74/100 | 18 |
| Enschede | $1,685 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 74/100 | 18 |
| Zaanstad | $1,677 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 18 |
| Amersfoort | $1,677 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 18 |
| Apeldoorn | $1,675 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 18 |
| Hoofddorp | $1,673 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 18 |
| Zwolle | $1,671 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 18 |
| Leeuwarden | $1,668 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 17 |
| Maastricht | $1,666 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 17 |
| Leiden | $1,664 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 17 |
| Dordrecht | $1,664 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 17 |
| Zoetermeer | $1,661 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 73/100 | 17 |
| Venlo | $1,650 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 17 |
| Deventer | $1,647 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Delft | $1,645 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Alkmaar | $1,645 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Heerlen | $1,643 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Amsterdam-Zuidoost | $1,634 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Hilversum | $1,634 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Hengelo | $1,632 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Purmerend | $1,631 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Lelystad | $1,629 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 72/100 | 16 |
| Amstelveen | $1,629 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 71/100 | 16 |
| Roosendaal | $1,627 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 71/100 | 16 |
| Oss | $1,625 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 71/100 | 15 |
| Schiedam | $1,625 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 71/100 | 15 |
| Spijkenisse | $1,624 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 71/100 | 15 |
| Helmond | $1,624 | 85/100 | 163/200 | 71/100 | 15 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled 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 The Netherlands
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in The Netherlands
Pollution Index
22/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
10.9ug/m3
Good
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in The Netherlands, answered with data
What is the cost of living in The Netherlands?
The Netherlands has a cost of living index of 80 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,650 in Venlo and reach $2,030 in Amsterdam.
What is the cheapest city in The Netherlands for expats?
Venlo is the most affordable city in The Netherlands in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $1,650 for a single person including rent. Zoetermeer is the next most affordable at $1,661/mo.
Is The Netherlands safe for expats?
The Netherlands has a safety index of 85/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Groningen scores highest on safety at 85/100.
What is the best city in The Netherlands for expats and digital nomads?
Venlo ranks highest for quality of life in The Netherlands, scoring 163/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,650/mo for a single person.
How good is healthcare in The Netherlands?
The Netherlands scores 74/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it good by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
What is the air quality and pollution like in The Netherlands?
The Netherlands has a pollution index of 22/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
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Your pre-departure checklist for The Netherlands
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Cost of Living
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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