🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,026 in Hilversum versus $3,849 in Redmond, WA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,529 in Hilversum versus $5,370 in Redmond, WA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,032 in Hilversum versus $6,890 in Redmond, WA.
🌍Living in Hilversum costs roughly 21% less than in Redmond, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Hilversum127% above, Redmond, WA189% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.32€25.58
$20.09$20.09
45.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$92.8€80.9
$69.8$69.8
32.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$16.42€14.32
$12.05$12.05
36.27%
Cappuccino
$4.55€3.97
$5.65$5.65
-19.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.38
$2.46$2.46
57.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00€2.62
$2.39$2.39
25.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.88€5.13
$7.74$7.74
-24.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.14€4.48
$7.98$7.98
-35.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32€1.15
$1.40$1.40
-5.71%
White Bread(500g)
$2.20€1.92
$4.80$4.80
-54.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.75€3.27
$4.28$4.28
-12.38%
Eggs
$4.83€4.21
$4.19$4.19
15.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.05€11.39
$17.25$17.25
-24.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.13€14.95
$10.58$10.58
61.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.23€15.03
$16.62$16.62
3.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.96€1.71
$8.13$8.13
-75.89%
Banana(1kg)
$2.51€2.19
$2.84$2.84
-11.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88€1.64
$4.27$4.27
-55.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.84€3.35
$5.33$5.33
-27.95%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16€1.88
$2.90$2.90
-25.52%
Onion(1kg)
$2.22€1.94
$2.77$2.77
-19.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22€1.07
$2.54$2.54
-51.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94€0.82
$3.19$3.19
-70.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.28€10.72
$11.57$11.57
6.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.08€6.18
$19.75$19.75
-64.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49€1.30
$1.95$1.95
-23.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74€2.39
$4.15$4.15
-33.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.50€3.93
$3.20$3.20
40.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$97.4€85.0
$89.6$89.6
8.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.89€5.14
$2.67$2.67
120.60%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14€1.86
$1.63$1.63
31.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.36€25.61
$30.26$30.26
-2.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.30€2.01
$1.17$1.17
96.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.4K€36.1K
$33.6K$33.6K
23.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.1K€35.0K
$26.1K$26.1K
53.75%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$266€232
$271$271
-1.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.77€25.97
$60.5$60.5
-50.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.6€50.3
$76.0$76.0
-24.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$70.4€61.4
$69.8$69.8
0.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.14€35.89
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.63€15.38
$16.08$16.08
9.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$659€575
$2,241$2,241
-70.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,478€6,524
$29.8K$29.8K
-74.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$125€109
$51.6$51.6
142.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9€53.1
$52.0$52.0
17.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$133€116
$90.2$90.2
46.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$180€157
$143$143
26.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,756€1,532
$2,320$2,320
-24.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,508€1,315
$2,272$2,272
-33.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,953€2,577
$3,691$3,691
-20.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,449€2,137
$3,568$3,568
-31.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,013€6,119
$7,188$7,188
-2.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,384€4,697
$7,032$7,032
-23.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hilversum
Redmond, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,872€3,379
$9,588$9,588
-59.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
6.54
-31.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hilversum: June 13, 2026
Last update for Redmond, WA: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,756 in Hilversum and $2,320 in Redmond, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Redmond, WA pays 148% 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: $93.0 in Hilversum vs $70.0 in Redmond, WA. Groceries flip the comparison at $352 vs $472, with Hilversum cheaper for home cooking.
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 Redmond, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hilversum and in Redmond, WA?
Hilversum and Redmond, WA differ by about 27% in total monthly costs ($3,026 vs $3,849 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 148% lower in Redmond, WA. 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 Redmond, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,756 in Hilversum versus $2,320 in Redmond, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Hilversum and in Redmond, WA?
A monthly transit pass in Hilversum runs roughly 9% less than in Redmond, WA. 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 Redmond, WA?
Childcare runs $659 in Hilversum versus $2,241 in Redmond, WA. 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 Redmond, WA?
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 Redmond, WA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hilversum and Redmond, WA 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 Redmond, WA?
Expats usually find Hilversum gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Redmond, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.