πA single person spends $2,939 per month in Haarlem vs $3,307 in Schaumburg, IL, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,262 per month in Haarlem vs $4,509 in Schaumburg, IL, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,584 per month in Haarlem vs $5,711 in Schaumburg, IL, rent included.
πHaarlem is about 11% cheaper than Schaumburg, IL, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth Haarlem and Schaumburg, IL sit above the global median β Haarlem by 119%, Schaumburg, IL by 147%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.58β¬24.38
$15.16$15.16
88.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$105β¬89.1
$98.1$98.1
6.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.80β¬11.77
$13.07$13.07
5.59%
Cappuccino
$4.32β¬3.68
$4.86$4.86
-11.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94β¬3.36
$2.60$2.60
51.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50β¬2.98
$2.31$2.31
51.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.07β¬6.03
$4.60$4.60
53.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74β¬4.90
$6.06$6.06
-5.28%
π Groceries & Markets
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.40β¬1.20
$0.82$0.82
70.73%
White Bread(500g)
$2.57β¬2.19
$3.99$3.99
-35.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.98β¬2.54
$7.66$7.66
-61.10%
Eggs
$4.74β¬4.05
$4.08$4.08
16.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.04β¬11.98
$14.75$14.75
-4.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.50β¬13.22
$13.85$13.85
11.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.69β¬15.95
$17.90$17.90
4.41%
Apples(1kg)
$2.68β¬2.28
$5.34$5.34
-49.81%
Banana(1kg)
$2.51β¬2.14
$3.03$3.03
-17.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88β¬1.61
$4.81$4.81
-60.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.97β¬3.39
$4.15$4.15
-4.34%
Potato(1kg)
$2.04β¬1.74
$3.35$3.35
-39.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.92β¬1.64
$3.24$3.24
-40.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22β¬1.04
$2.01$2.01
-39.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92β¬0.79
$3.44$3.44
-73.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.75β¬12.59
$17.92$17.92
-17.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.70β¬7.42
$19.47$19.47
-55.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56β¬1.33
$1.78$1.78
-12.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49β¬2.13
$5.47$5.47
-54.48%
π Getting Around
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.22β¬2.75
$1.96$1.96
64.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$115β¬98.5
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.73β¬4.88
$3.55$3.55
61.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.56β¬2.19
$1.66$1.66
54.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.59β¬22.68
$29.71$29.71
-10.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.28β¬1.95
$0.90$0.90
153.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.9Kβ¬34.1K
$26.4K$26.4K
51.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.3Kβ¬33.6K
$29.4K$29.4K
33.67%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$237β¬202
$333$333
-28.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.84β¬24.60
$77.3$77.3
-62.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.7β¬50.1
$161$161
-63.44%
π Sport & Entertainment
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.68β¬34.70
$62.3$62.3
-34.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.43β¬20.84
$40.13$40.13
-39.12%
Cinema Ticket
$16.94β¬14.45
$19.73$19.73
-14.14%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,755β¬2,350
$1,279$1,279
115.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,324β¬5,394
$82.4K$82.4K
-92.32%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$100β¬85.3
$73.0$73.0
37.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.9β¬46.00
$50.7$50.7
6.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$119β¬102
$101$101
17.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$155β¬132
$118$118
31.60%
π Accommodation & Living
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,705β¬1,454
$1,904$1,904
-10.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,378β¬1,176
$1,678$1,678
-17.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,542β¬2,169
$2,559$2,559
-0.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,155β¬1,839
$2,375$2,375
-9.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,418β¬7,181
$2,159$2,159
289.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,512β¬5,555
$2,068$2,068
214.86%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Haarlem
Schaumburg, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,904β¬3,330
$4,871$4,871
-19.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.28
6.36
-32.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Haarlem: April 21, 2026
Last update for Schaumburg, IL: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,705 in Haarlem versus $1,904 in Schaumburg, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 25% higher in Schaumburg, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $105 in Haarlem versus $98 in Schaumburg, IL. Groceries tell a different story β $358 in Haarlem vs $472 in Schaumburg, IL β so Haarlem 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
Haarlem vs Schaumburg, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Haarlem or Schaumburg, IL?
Schaumburg, IL costs about 13% more than Haarlem, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Haarlem vs Schaumburg, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,409 per month in Haarlem and $4,961 in Schaumburg, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Haarlem or Schaumburg, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Haarlem, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Haarlem vs Schaumburg, IL?
Are groceries more expensive in Haarlem or Schaumburg, IL?
Groceries cost about 32% more in Schaumburg, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Haarlem or Schaumburg, IL?
$2,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $2,939 in Haarlem and $3,307 in Schaumburg, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Haarlem or Schaumburg, IL?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Haarlem costs $2,939 versus $3,307 in Schaumburg, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Haarlem compared to Schaumburg, IL?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Haarlem or Schaumburg, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Haarlem. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Schaumburg, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.