Amsterdam vs The Hague
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
The Hague is ~22% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Amsterdam
Netherlands
COL+Rent
65.5
Rent Index
52.2
Groceries
65.4
Restaurant
73.1
The Hague
Netherlands
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
34.8
Groceries
55.8
Restaurant
57.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Amsterdam | The Hague | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,318 | $1,546 | +$772 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $1,214 | +$608 |
| Groceries | $374 | $319 | +$55 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $19 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $109 | $93 | +$16 |
| Utilities | $210 | $179 | +$31 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Amsterdam | The Hague |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,491/mo | $1,785/mo |
| Typical | $3,341/mo | $2,422/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,094/mo | $3,003/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Amsterdam | ≈ in The Hague | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,166/mo | -$334 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,554/mo | -$446 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,331/mo | -$669 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Amsterdam vs The Hague for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows The Hague is approximately 22% more affordable than Amsterdam when combining rent and daily living costs. Amsterdam's COL+Rent Index of 65.5 vs The Hague's 50.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Amsterdam costs $2,318/month versus $1,546/month in The Hague — giving The Hague a $772/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,264 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Amsterdam ($374/mo) vs The Hague ($319/mo) reflect The Hague's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $19 show The Hague offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, The Hague offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,422 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.