🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,435 in Enschede versus $2,879 in The Hague.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,844 in Enschede versus $4,275 in The Hague.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,252 in Enschede versus $5,672 in The Hague.
🌍Living in Enschede costs roughly 15% less than in The Hague, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Enschede82% above, The Hague115% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.32€16.92
$17.18€15.04
12.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$87.2€76.4
$91.5€80.2
-4.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.02€12.28
$13.81€12.10
1.52%
Cappuccino
$4.01€3.51
$4.47€3.91
-10.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81€2.46
$3.30€2.89
-14.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.81
$2.67€2.34
-22.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.83€5.98
$6.91€6.05
-1.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.85€5.12
$5.70€4.99
2.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.26€1.10
$1.32€1.16
-4.55%
White Bread(500g)
$2.32€2.03
$2.27€1.98
2.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.30€2.89
$2.92€2.55
13.01%
Eggs
$4.55€3.99
$4.91€4.30
-7.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.96€11.35
$14.65€12.83
-11.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.47€13.55
$15.70€13.75
-1.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.64€14.57
$16.92€14.82
-1.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.20€1.93
$2.45€2.15
-10.20%
Banana(1kg)
$2.53€2.21
$2.42€2.12
4.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.95€1.70
$1.97€1.73
-1.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.73€3.26
$4.58€4.02
-18.56%
Potato(1kg)
$2.14€1.88
$1.99€1.74
7.54%
Onion(1kg)
$1.94€1.70
$2.06€1.81
-5.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.21€1.06
$1.25€1.10
-3.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74€0.64
$0.90€0.79
-17.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.36€12.58
$13.96€12.22
2.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.01€6.14
$5.84€5.12
20.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54€1.35
$1.40€1.23
10.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85€2.50
$2.51€2.20
13.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.95€2.58
$3.51€3.07
-15.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$117€102
$121€106
-3.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.13€3.62
$4.66€4.08
-11.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.45€2.15
$3.13€2.74
-21.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.20€22.95
$34.13€29.89
-23.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.18€1.91
$2.31€2.02
-5.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.8K€36.6K
$42.4K€37.1K
-1.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.7K€32.1K
$35.1K€30.7K
4.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$256€225
$244€214
5.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.36€25.72
$26.15€22.90
12.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.00€36.78
$46.38€40.62
-9.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.93€31.47
$42.54€37.26
-15.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.99€6.12
$26.04€22.80
-73.16%
Cinema Ticket
$15.59€13.66
$16.55€14.49
-5.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,097€961
$2,409€2,110
-54.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,196€8,054
$11.9K€10.4K
-22.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.6€78.5
$129€113
-30.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.72€33.92
$49.16€43.06
-21.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.6€84.6
$121€106
-19.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108€94.8
$156€136
-30.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,461€1,279
$1,675€1,467
-12.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,057€926
$1,472€1,290
-28.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,650€2,321
$3,010€2,636
-11.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,212€1,937
$2,476€2,168
-10.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,636€4,060
$6,436€5,637
-27.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,248€2,845
$4,635€4,059
-29.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Enschede
The Hague
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,947€2,581
$4,226€3,701
-30.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.6
4
15.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Enschede: July 12, 2026
Last update for The Hague: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,461 in Enschede and $1,675 in The Hague. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰The Hague pays 43% 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: $87.0 in Enschede vs $92.0 in The Hague for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $337 vs $348 per month, with Enschede 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
Enschede vs The Hague: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Enschede and in The Hague?
Enschede and The Hague differ by about 18% in total monthly costs ($2,435 vs $2,879 including rent). Enschede is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 43% lower in The Hague. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Enschede and in The Hague?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,461 in Enschede versus $1,675 in The Hague. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Enschede or The Hague?
All in, you'll spend $2,435 per month in Enschede versus $2,879 in The Hague – a 18% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Enschede and in The Hague?
A monthly transit pass in Enschede runs roughly 4% less than in The Hague. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,435 in Enschede versus $2,879 in The Hague, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Enschede but tight or insufficient in The Hague. The gap between the two cities makes Enschede the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Enschede and The Hague?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Enschede or The Hague safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Enschede and The Hague are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Enschede or The Hague?
Expats usually find Enschede gentler on the wallet – expenses run 18% less than in The Hague. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.