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Cost of Living in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands · Population 1,026,250

▲ +8% vs Netherlands average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)€1,216 ($1,322)
Couple, monthly€2,226 ($2,420)
Family of four, monthly€2,945 ($3,201)

Estimated Prices in Rotterdam

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant€10.70 ($11.63)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range€42.79 ($46.51)per meal
Cappuccino€3.21 ($3.49)each
Monthly groceries (single person)€242 ($264)per month
Monthly public transport pass€39.23 ($42.64)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment€103 ($112)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)€29.95 ($32.56)per month
Fitness club membership€29.95 ($32.56)per month
Cinema ticket€7.85 ($8.53)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre€723 ($786)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre€503 ($547)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre€1,509 ($1,640)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Rotterdam is €3,566 ($3,876) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €1,216 ($1,322) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,581 ($1,718) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€503 ($547)) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Rotterdam

Rotterdam vs AmsterdamRotterdam vs The HagueRotterdam vs UtrechtRotterdam vs MaastrichtRotterdam vs HarssensRotterdam vs Eindhoven

Nearby Cities

Kralingse Veer

2 km away · Zuid-Holland

Schiedam

5 km away · Zuid-Holland

Bergschenhoek

7 km away · Zuid-Holland

Capelle aan den IJssel

7 km away · Zuid-Holland

Krimpen aan den IJssel

8 km away · Zuid-Holland

Barendrecht

9 km away · Zuid-Holland

Vlaardingen

9 km away · Zuid-Holland

Poortugaal

9 km away · Zuid-Holland

Other Major Cities in Netherlands

Amsterdam

Noord-Holland · pop. 1,477,213

€1,406 ($1,528) / mo

The Hague

Zuid-Holland · pop. 548,320

€1,122 ($1,220) / mo

Utrecht

Utrecht · pop. 359,370

€1,122 ($1,220) / mo

Maastricht

Limburg · pop. 277,721

€1,122 ($1,220) / mo

Harssens

Groningen · pop. 244,807

€1,052 ($1,144) / mo

Eindhoven

Noord-Brabant · pop. 243,730

€1,052 ($1,144) / mo

Groningen

Groningen · pop. 233,273

€1,052 ($1,144) / mo

Tilburg

Noord-Brabant · pop. 229,833

€1,052 ($1,144) / mo

Living in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is one of the key cities in Netherlands. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €1,216 ($1,322), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €503 ($547) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,945 ($3,201) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €2,226 ($2,420) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Rotterdam is €3,566 ($3,876). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,581 ($1,718) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rotterdam expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated €1,216 ($1,322) per month in Rotterdam including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Netherlands.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Rotterdam?
A net salary of around €1,581 ($1,718) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Rotterdam with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Rotterdam is €3,566 ($3,876).
How much is rent in Rotterdam?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated €723 ($786) per month in the city centre and €503 ($547) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about €1,509 ($1,640).
Is Rotterdam cheaper than Netherlands on average?
No — Rotterdam is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Netherlands average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Rotterdam?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at €242 ($264) in Rotterdam. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €11 ($12) and a cappuccino runs around €3 ($3).
How do transport costs in Rotterdam compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Rotterdam is estimated at €39 ($43). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Rotterdam are estimates based on Netherlands national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,026,250). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.