Cost of Living: Rotterdam vs Eindhoven

Updated for 2026 · figures checked 4 October 2026

Eindhoven is about €175 a month cheaper than Rotterdam

For one person renting a 1-bedroom flat, life costs about €2,424 a month in Rotterdam and €2,249 in Eindhoven. For a couple in a 2-bedroom flat it's €3,773 and €3,547. Most of the difference is rent: €1,367 against €1,215.

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Monthly costs for one person, renting

Per monthRotterdamEindhoven
Rent€1,367€1,215
Gas and electricity€106€106
Drinking water€13€13
Municipal and water board taxes€76€53
Internet€45€45
Home contents and liability insurance€15€15
Basic health insurance€159€159
Health deductible (eigen risico)€32€32
Groceries and household items€280€280
Mobile phones€15€15
Eating out, clothes, leisure and travel€300€300
Bike upkeep€15€15
Total, one person (1-bedroom flat)€2,424€2,249
Total, couple (2-bedroom flat)€3,773€3,547

Balanced lifestyle, getting around by bike, health insurance included. Rents are for new contracts in the free sector. Change any of these in the calculator.

Estimate based on official Belastingdienst and municipal tax rules for 2026, and published rent and price data. Not affiliated with the Dutch government. Your landlord, insurer and municipality decide your actual costs.

More to compare

Rooms, buying and moving in

RotterdamEindhoven
Rent per m², new contracts€22.79€20.25
A room in a shared home–€540
Average home price€414,579€469,870
Property tax (OZB) for owners0.0643% of the WOZ value0.0846% of the WOZ value
Local taxes for a renter, per year€911€641
Moving in: deposit, first rent, furniture, a bike and moving€9,402€8,945

Moving-in costs are for one person renting a 1-bedroom flat. Got a job offer? See what you'll take home with the Salary Calculator.

About Rotterdam

Living in Rotterdam

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.

Good to know: Rotterdam charges the highest sewage tax of the cities in this calculator.

Cost of living in Rotterdam · Moving to Rotterdam

About Eindhoven

Living in Eindhoven

Eindhoven is the centre of the Brainport technology region. It is the cheapest of the five largest cities to rent in (€20.25 per m² in Q2 2026), but rents there rose fastest: 11.9% in a year.

Good to know: Eindhoven has the lowest waste tax of the cities in this calculator.

Cost of living in Eindhoven · Moving to Eindhoven

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