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Cost of Living in Utrecht

Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands · Population 359,370

▲ +0% vs Netherlands average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)€1,122 ($1,220)
Couple, monthly€2,053 ($2,231)
Family of four, monthly€2,713 ($2,949)

Estimated Prices in Utrecht

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant€9.95 ($10.81)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range€39.79 ($43.25)per meal
Cappuccino€2.98 ($3.24)each
Monthly groceries (single person)€225 ($245)per month
Monthly public transport pass€36.47 ($39.64)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment€96.15 ($105)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)€27.85 ($30.27)per month
Fitness club membership€27.85 ($30.27)per month
Cinema ticket€7.29 ($7.93)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre€660 ($717)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre€459 ($499)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre€1,377 ($1,497)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Utrecht is €3,316 ($3,604) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €1,122 ($1,220) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,459 ($1,586) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€459 ($499)) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Utrecht

Utrecht vs AmsterdamUtrecht vs RotterdamUtrecht vs The HagueUtrecht vs MaastrichtUtrecht vs HarssensUtrecht vs Eindhoven

Nearby Cities

De Bilt

5 km away · Utrecht

Oud-Zuilen

5 km away · Utrecht

Bunnik

6 km away · Utrecht

De Meern

6 km away · Utrecht

Bilthoven

7 km away · Utrecht

Nieuwegein

7 km away · Utrecht

Vleuten

8 km away · Utrecht

Zeist

8 km away · Utrecht

Other Major Cities in Netherlands

Amsterdam

Noord-Holland · pop. 1,477,213

€1,406 ($1,528) / mo

Rotterdam

Zuid-Holland · pop. 1,026,250

€1,216 ($1,322) / mo

The Hague

Zuid-Holland · pop. 548,320

€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 Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the key cities in Netherlands. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €1,122 ($1,220), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €459 ($499) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,713 ($2,949) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €2,053 ($2,231) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Utrecht is €3,316 ($3,604). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,459 ($1,586) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Utrecht expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated €1,122 ($1,220) per month in Utrecht including rent outside the city centre. That is 0% more than the national average for Netherlands.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Utrecht?
A net salary of around €1,459 ($1,586) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Utrecht with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Utrecht is €3,316 ($3,604).
How much is rent in Utrecht?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated €660 ($717) per month in the city centre and €459 ($499) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about €1,377 ($1,497).
Is Utrecht cheaper than Netherlands on average?
No — Utrecht is estimated to be about 0% more expensive than the Netherlands average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Utrecht?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at €225 ($245) in Utrecht. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €10 ($11) and a cappuccino runs around €3 ($3).
How do transport costs in Utrecht compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Utrecht is estimated at €36 ($40). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Utrecht are estimates based on Netherlands national averages adjusted for city size (population 359,370). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.