🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,023 in Hilversum versus $4,220 in Laguna Niguel, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,397 in Hilversum versus $5,491 in Laguna Niguel, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,770 in Hilversum versus $6,762 in Laguna Niguel, CA.
🌍Living in Hilversum costs roughly 28% less than in Laguna Niguel, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Hilversum120% above, Laguna Niguel, CA207% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.19€25.19
$24.77$24.77
17.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.7€70.5
$101$101
-19.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$17.30€14.93
$13.85$13.85
24.91%
Cappuccino
$4.56€3.94
$5.78$5.78
-21.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.10€3.54
$3.03$3.03
35.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16€2.73
$2.02$2.02
56.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.69€4.91
$7.88$7.88
-27.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74€4.95
$8.74$8.74
-34.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27€1.09
$1.32$1.32
-3.79%
White Bread(500g)
$2.38€2.05
$5.70$5.70
-58.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.79€3.27
$4.79$4.79
-20.88%
Eggs
$5.25€4.53
$5.09$5.09
3.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.16€11.35
$17.22$17.22
-23.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.42€15.03
$13.29$13.29
31.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.53€15.13
$20.30$20.30
-13.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.03€1.75
$5.37$5.37
-62.20%
Banana(1kg)
$2.56€2.21
$1.80$1.80
42.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87€1.62
$4.46$4.46
-58.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.35€2.89
$6.38$6.38
-47.49%
Potato(1kg)
$2.10€1.81
$3.28$3.28
-35.98%
Onion(1kg)
$2.21€1.91
$2.67$2.67
-17.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19€1.03
$2.29$2.29
-48.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.15€0.99
$2.12$2.12
-45.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.72€10.97
$11.74$11.74
8.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.99€6.03
$16.43$16.43
-57.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.53€1.32
$1.75$1.75
-12.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71€2.34
$3.13$3.13
-13.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.79€3.27
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$70.4€60.7
$65.1$65.1
8.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.92€5.11
$2.99$2.99
97.99%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.48€3.00
$1.84$1.84
89.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.79€19.67
$28.18$28.18
-19.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.38€2.06
$1.52$1.52
56.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.2K€36.4K
$36.5K$36.5K
15.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.8K€38.7K
$25.9K$25.9K
72.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$275€237
$253$253
8.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.03€25.92
$72.2$72.2
-58.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.6€56.6
$86.2$86.2
-23.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$71.0€61.3
$91.6$91.6
-22.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.35€30.50
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.66€15.24
$16.78$16.78
5.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$705€608
$1,929$1,929
-63.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.3K€14.1K
$36.2K$36.2K
-54.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$116€99.9
$70.4$70.4
64.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.7€43.72
$41.43$41.43
22.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.3€83.1
$117$117
-17.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$147€127
$151$151
-2.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,790€1,545
$2,887$2,887
-37.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,519€1,311
$2,531$2,531
-39.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,995€2,585
$4,427$4,427
-32.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,391€2,063
$2,947$2,947
-18.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,166€6,184
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,354€4,620
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hilversum
Laguna Niguel, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,196€3,621
$5,055$5,055
-16.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.3
6.17
-30.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hilversum: August 30, 2026
Last update for Laguna Niguel, CA: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,790 in Hilversum and $2,887 in Laguna Niguel, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Laguna Niguel, CA pays 20% 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: $82.0 in Hilversum vs $101 in Laguna Niguel, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $358 vs $474 per month, with Hilversum 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
Hilversum vs Laguna Niguel, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hilversum and in Laguna Niguel, CA?
Hilversum and Laguna Niguel, CA differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($3,023 vs $4,220 including rent). Hilversum 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 20% lower in Laguna Niguel, CA. 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 Hilversum and in Laguna Niguel, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,790 in Hilversum versus $2,887 in Laguna Niguel, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Hilversum and in Laguna Niguel, CA?
A monthly transit pass in Hilversum runs roughly 8% less than in Laguna Niguel, CA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Hilversum and Laguna Niguel, CA?
Childcare runs $705 in Hilversum versus $1,929 in Laguna Niguel, CA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Hilversum is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Hilversum and Laguna Niguel, CA?
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 Hilversum or Laguna Niguel, CA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hilversum and Laguna Niguel, CA 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: Hilversum or Laguna Niguel, CA?
Expats usually find Hilversum gentler on the wallet – expenses run 40% less than in Laguna Niguel, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.