🙂A single person spends $2,502 per month in 's-Hertogenbosch vs $2,957 in Rotterdam, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $4,021 per month in 's-Hertogenbosch vs $4,244 in Rotterdam, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,539 per month in 's-Hertogenbosch vs $5,531 in Rotterdam, rent included.
🙂's-Hertogenbosch is about 15% cheaper than Rotterdam, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both 's-Hertogenbosch and Rotterdam sit above the global median – 's-Hertogenbosch by 87%, Rotterdam by 121%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.22€21.69
$23.59€20.29
6.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.7€73.7
$91.1€78.4
-5.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.35€9.76
$14.07€12.10
-19.33%
Cappuccino
$3.92€3.37
$4.42€3.80
-11.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31€2.85
$3.66€3.15
-9.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95€2.53
$2.86€2.46
3.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.67€4.88
$6.89€5.92
-17.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.29€3.69
$5.90€5.08
-27.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25€1.07
$1.34€1.15
-6.72%
White Bread(500g)
$2.12€1.82
$2.34€2.01
-9.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.68€3.17
$3.26€2.81
12.88%
Eggs
$4.77€4.10
$5.17€4.45
-7.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.80€11.87
$13.68€11.76
0.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.12€14.73
$14.30€12.30
19.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.06€15.53
$16.86€14.50
7.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.55€2.20
$2.58€2.22
-1.16%
Banana(1kg)
$2.63€2.26
$2.47€2.12
6.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.18€1.88
$1.99€1.71
9.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.60€3.95
$3.91€3.36
17.65%
Potato(1kg)
$2.12€1.82
$2.01€1.73
5.47%
Onion(1kg)
$2.24€1.93
$1.99€1.71
12.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.31€1.13
$1.37€1.18
-4.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.99€0.85
$1.17€1.01
-15.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.66€10.03
$13.68€11.77
-14.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.49€6.44
$7.39€6.35
1.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56€1.35
$1.59€1.36
-1.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40€2.92
$2.68€2.31
26.87%
🚌 Getting Around
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.18€2.73
$4.76€4.09
-33.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$66.1€56.8
$91.0€78.2
-27.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.58€3.08
$5.08€4.37
-29.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.08€1.79
$2.06€1.77
0.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.96€25.77
$21.01€18.07
42.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.21€1.90
$2.32€2.00
-4.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.0K€28.3K
$40.1K€34.5K
-17.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5K€27.1K
$36.2K€31.2K
-12.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$185€159
$288€248
-35.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.13€20.75
$24.70€21.24
-2.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.11€35.36
$57.6€49.54
-28.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.09€38.78
$46.03€39.59
-2.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.69€13.50
$28.08€24.15
-44.12%
Cinema Ticket
$14.64€12.59
$17.42€14.98
-15.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,383€2,050
$2,223€1,912
7.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,815€5,862
$14.0K€12.1K
-51.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.2€64.7
$94.5€81.3
-20.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.7€50.5
$50.5€43.40
16.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114€98.1
$127€110
-10.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$186€160
$182€157
2.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,643€1,413
$1,774€1,526
-7.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,222€1,051
$1,486€1,279
-17.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,679€2,304
$2,869€2,468
-6.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,525€2,172
$2,285€1,965
10.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,703€5,766
$6,223€5,353
7.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,964€4,270
$3,977€3,421
24.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
's-Hertogenbosch
Rotterdam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,761€3,235
$4,139€3,561
-9.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.46
4.08
9.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for 's-Hertogenbosch: June 2, 2026
Last update for Rotterdam: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,643 in 's-Hertogenbosch versus $1,774 in Rotterdam. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 10% higher in Rotterdam, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $86.0 in 's-Hertogenbosch versus $91.0 in Rotterdam. Groceries tell a different story – $366 in 's-Hertogenbosch vs $347 in Rotterdam – so Rotterdam wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
's-Hertogenbosch vs Rotterdam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in 's-Hertogenbosch and Rotterdam compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,502 in 's-Hertogenbosch, $2,957 in Rotterdam – roughly 18% apart. Rotterdam costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in 's-Hertogenbosch compared to Rotterdam?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,754 per month in 's-Hertogenbosch and $4,435 in Rotterdam. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between 's-Hertogenbosch and Rotterdam?
Rent is clearly cheaper in 's-Hertogenbosch, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Rotterdam – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $86.0 in 's-Hertogenbosch and $91.0 in Rotterdam. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,502 in 's-Hertogenbosch and $2,957 in Rotterdam. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between 's-Hertogenbosch and Rotterdam?
It depends on your priorities. Rotterdam has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,502 in 's-Hertogenbosch to $2,957 in Rotterdam. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is 's-Hertogenbosch or Rotterdam safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between 's-Hertogenbosch and Rotterdam?
If budget matters most, go with 's-Hertogenbosch. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rotterdam makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
's-Hertogenbosch vs other spots: cost of living compared