🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,479 in Alkmaar versus $2,644 in Eindhoven.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,896 in Alkmaar versus $3,752 in Eindhoven.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,314 in Alkmaar versus $4,861 in Eindhoven.
🙂Living in Alkmaar costs roughly 6% less than in Eindhoven, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Alkmaar85% above, Eindhoven97% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.41€24.47
$23.50€20.24
20.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.7€78.1
$86.6€74.6
4.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$15.45€13.30
$14.15€12.19
9.19%
Cappuccino
$3.95€3.40
$3.82€3.29
3.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43€2.96
$3.68€3.17
-6.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62€2.25
$3.05€2.63
-14.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.91€5.09
$6.20€5.34
-4.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.53€3.90
$5.65€4.86
-19.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.48€1.28
$1.32€1.14
12.12%
White Bread(500g)
$2.35€2.02
$2.08€1.79
12.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.56€3.06
$3.10€2.67
14.84%
Eggs
$4.91€4.22
$4.77€4.11
2.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.13€12.17
$13.67€11.77
3.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.20€13.95
$15.43€13.28
4.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.33€17.50
$16.94€14.58
20.01%
Apples(1kg)
$2.46€2.12
$2.67€2.30
-7.87%
Banana(1kg)
$2.52€2.17
$2.49€2.14
1.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93€1.66
$1.90€1.64
1.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.45€3.83
$3.83€3.30
16.19%
Potato(1kg)
$2.02€1.74
$2.08€1.79
-2.88%
Onion(1kg)
$2.24€1.93
$2.03€1.75
10.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.31€1.13
$1.30€1.12
0.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.11€0.96
$0.92€0.79
20.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.46€11.59
$13.64€11.74
-1.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.31€6.29
$7.43€6.40
-1.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27€1.10
$1.60€1.38
-20.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40€2.06
$2.57€2.21
-6.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.85€2.45
$4.69€4.04
-39.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$67.7€58.3
$85.4€73.5
-20.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.26€3.67
$3.66€3.15
16.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.33€1.15
$2.80€2.41
-52.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.68€30.72
$30.69€26.43
16.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.23€1.92
$2.32€2.00
-3.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0K€31.8K
$34.9K€30.1K
5.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.0K€31.0K
$39.1K€33.7K
-8.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$259€223
$249€214
4.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.09€18.16
$21.57€18.57
-2.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$45.14€38.87
$42.20€36.34
6.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.01€37.90
$41.18€35.46
6.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.30€5.43
$21.24€18.29
-70.34%
Cinema Ticket
$17.48€15.05
$17.54€15.10
-0.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$763€657
$2,068€1,781
-63.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,400€2,067
$7,366€6,343
-67.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$116€100
$90.1€77.6
29.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.54€40.94
$43.63€37.57
8.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$111€95.2
$111€95.7
-0.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132€114
$121€104
9.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$812€699
$1,535€1,322
-47.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,050€904
$1,267€1,091
-17.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,889€2,488
$2,334€2,010
23.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,077€1,789
$1,869€1,609
11.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,291€4,556
$6,552€5,642
-19.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,393€3,783
$5,094€4,386
-13.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Alkmaar
Eindhoven
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,474€2,992
$3,894€3,353
-10.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
4.2
-4.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Alkmaar: June 2, 2026
Last update for Eindhoven: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $812 in Alkmaar and $1,535 in Eindhoven. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Eindhoven pays 12% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $91.0 in Alkmaar vs $87.0 in Eindhoven for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $369 vs $344 per month, with Eindhoven cheaper across the board.
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
Alkmaar vs Eindhoven: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Alkmaar or Eindhoven?
Alkmaar wins on cost – living expenses run 7% lower than in Eindhoven. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Alkmaar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Alkmaar or Eindhoven?
On paper, Eindhoven earns 12% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Alkmaar vs Eindhoven?
Rent for a central apartment: $812 in Alkmaar versus $1,535 in Eindhoven. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Alkmaar vs Eindhoven?
A monthly transit pass in Alkmaar runs roughly 26% less than in Eindhoven. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Alkmaar and Eindhoven?
Childcare runs $763 in Alkmaar versus $2,068 in Eindhoven. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Alkmaar or Eindhoven?
At $2,479 in Alkmaar versus $2,644 in Eindhoven, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Alkmaar but tight or insufficient in Eindhoven. The gap between the two cities makes Alkmaar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Alkmaar or Eindhoven?
Both work as nomad bases, but Alkmaar delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,479 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Alkmaar hard to pass up.
How safe is Alkmaar compared to Eindhoven?
Safety-wise, Alkmaar and Eindhoven are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Alkmaar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Eindhoven. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.