MigrantoCost of living in the Netherlands
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in the Netherlands
Spending runs from €1,150 a month in the poorest fifth to €4,300 in the richest
Per person, whole country
€2,190
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
€1,150richest 20%
€4,300
Where people spend money in the Netherlands
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
Ask Migo
Tap a question — our AI assistant answers it in chat
Key facts
The cost of living in the Netherlands in numbers
Among the most expensive countries in the world
More expensive than 89% of countries. A basket that costs €865 at world-middle prices costs €1,500 here.
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 11.7% of spending here, or €257 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 8 points less.
Typical spending takes 85% of the average wage
A typical person spends €2,190 a month while the average take-home wage is €2,590, so 15% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in the Netherlands compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in the Netherlands against other countries
More expensive than 89% of countries
Where Netherlands sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs €865 at world-middle prices costs €1,500 here.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2022 (Eurostat), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in the Netherlands
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in the Netherlands and how much you could have left each month
- What your lifestyle costs
- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in the Netherlands
€1,150/mo
vs €692 in your country
Take-home
€1,380
vs €1,040 in your country
Potential savings
€232
more than in your country
Standard of living
Under a minute, no sign-up
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in the Netherlands?
A typical person in the Netherlands spends about €2,190 a month — around €26,300 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in the Netherlands?
By spending, The Netherlands ranks #13 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about €2,190 a month, the poorest 20% about €1,150 and the richest 20% about €4,300. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in the Netherlands in US dollars?
The cost of living in the Netherlands is about $2,535 a month, or roughly $30,420 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in the Netherlands?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about €1,150 a month per person, a typical one around €2,190, and a comfortable life around €2,750. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in the Netherlands?
The biggest expense is housing, at about €513 a month (23% of spending). Then come transport (€265, 12%) and groceries (€257, 12%).
Is the average salary in the Netherlands enough to live on?
In most cases yes, but without much of a cushion. Average spending is about €2,190 a month, while the average take-home pay in the Netherlands is about €2,590. For more on incomes, see salaries in the Netherlands.
Is the Netherlands an expensive country to live in?
Yes. The Netherlands is more expensive than 93% of countries worldwide and ranks 8th of 41 in Europe by cost of living.
What currency is used in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands uses the Euro (EUR). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
Score countries, regions and cities by what matters to you
Living in the Netherlands
See the full country overview