Cost of Living in Rotterdam 2026 | Budget & Salary Calculator

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Allowances depend on your income, savings and residence status. Check before you apply: Belastingdienst test calculation (in Dutch).

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Rotterdam in numbers

Cost of living in Rotterdam: what to expect in 2026

Rotterdam is the Netherlands' second city and Europe's largest port. It had the lowest average home sale price of the cities in this calculator in 2025, but rents rose 7.8% in the year to Q2 2026.

Average rent for new tenants: €22.79 per m²
Typical 60 m² home: €1,367 a month
Local taxes, renting alone: €911 a year
Average home sale price: €414,579

Rotterdam charges the highest sewage tax of the cities in this calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in Rotterdam?

New tenants in the unregulated rental sector paid an average of €22.79 per m² a month (Pararius, Q2 2026). For a home of about 60 m², that is around €1,367 a month, excluding energy.

How much are local taxes in Rotterdam?

A one-person household that rents pays about €911 a year in waste, sewage and water board taxes; a household of two or more pays about €1,202. Homeowners also pay property tax (OZB) of 0.0643% of their home's assessed value.

Is health insurance included?

Yes. Basic health insurance is compulsory for every adult who lives or works in the Netherlands. The calculator uses the 2026 average premium of €157 a month per adult, plus the €385 yearly deductible (eigen risico). Children under 18 are covered free on a parent's policy.

How does the calculator work out my take-home pay?

We apply the 2026 Dutch income tax rates, the general tax credit and the employment tax credit to your salary, after any pension contribution. If you tick the 30% ruling, up to 30% of your salary is tax-free, but only if the rest is still above the salary threshold. Payroll uses monthly tables, so your payslips can differ slightly.

Does my salary include holiday pay?

Dutch employers pay at least 8% holiday allowance, usually in May. Job offers often state a monthly salary without it. Choose the right option next to your salary: we add the 8% where needed and spread it over 12 months, so your regular monthly payslip will be a little lower than the net amount we show.

Can I get allowances from the government?

Possibly. Healthcare allowance, rent allowance and childcare allowance depend on your income, savings and household. The calculator estimates childcare allowance and tells you when you may qualify for the others. Always confirm with the Belastingdienst's own test calculation before you apply.

Cost of living by city

Sources and method

Figures were checked on 4 October 2026. Rent is the average asking price per m² for new tenancies in the unregulated sector, multiplied by a typical home size; smaller homes often cost more per m², so check real listings. Energy, groceries, phone, transport and the “eating out, clothes, leisure and travel” line are estimates based on national averages. Take-home pay assumes you are an employee below state pension age who is a Dutch resident taxpayer.

This calculator gives estimates, not financial, tax or legal advice. Prices, taxes and allowances change, and your own costs depend on your circumstances. Confirm important numbers with your employer, landlord, lender or a qualified adviser.

Cost of Living in Rotterdam

Can you afford life in Rotterdam?