😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,127 in Hilversum versus $2,916 in Staten Island, NY.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,555 in Hilversum versus $4,517 in Staten Island, NY.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,982 in Hilversum versus $6,119 in Staten Island, NY.
🌍Living in Hilversum is roughly 7% more expensive than in Staten Island, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Hilversum134% above, Staten Island, NY118% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$28.53€25.00
$22.33$22.33
27.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$94.1€82.4
$101$101
-6.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$16.10€14.10
$12.09$12.09
33.17%
Cappuccino
$4.45€3.90
$6.07$6.07
-26.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71€3.25
$2.29$2.29
62.01%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08€2.70
$1.63$1.63
88.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.77€5.05
$7.90$7.90
-26.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.32€4.66
$7.76$7.76
-31.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35€1.18
$1.47$1.47
-8.16%
White Bread(500g)
$2.18€1.91
$4.68$4.68
-53.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.84€3.36
$7.98$7.98
-51.88%
Eggs
$4.87€4.27
$6.49$6.49
-24.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.89€11.29
$17.16$17.16
-24.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.48€15.32
$13.10$13.10
33.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.48€15.31
$19.79$19.79
-11.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.89€1.66
$6.71$6.71
-71.83%
Banana(1kg)
$2.46€2.16
$2.60$2.60
-5.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85€1.62
$5.95$5.95
-68.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.80€3.33
$6.25$6.25
-39.20%
Potato(1kg)
$2.10€1.84
$3.71$3.71
-43.40%
Onion(1kg)
$2.16€1.89
$3.92$3.92
-44.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.18€1.03
$2.73$2.73
-56.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94€0.82
$2.78$2.78
-66.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.12€10.62
$18.79$18.79
-35.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.81€5.97
$14.89$14.89
-54.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49€1.31
$1.83$1.83
-18.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70€2.37
$3.89$3.89
-30.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.65€4.08
$2.82$2.82
64.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$95.9€84.0
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.77€5.05
$3.06$3.06
88.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04€1.78
$2.13$2.13
-4.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.52€24.99
$41.40$41.40
-31.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.27€1.99
$0.95$0.95
138.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.4K€35.4K
$35.4K$35.4K
14.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.1K€35.1K
$27.9K$27.9K
43.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$259€227
$218$218
18.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.49€25.84
$59.3$59.3
-50.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.0€50.8
$64.2$64.2
-9.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.5€60.0
$114$114
-40.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$40.86€35.80
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.68€15.49
$19.91$19.91
-11.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$673€589
$1,970$1,970
-65.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,446€6,523
$15.9K$15.9K
-53.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$128€112
$67.9$67.9
88.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.7€52.3
$37.35$37.35
59.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$134€117
$112$112
19.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$187€164
$104$104
79.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,721€1,508
$1,745$1,745
-1.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,477€1,294
$1,402$1,402
5.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,989€2,618
$3,256$3,256
-8.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,455€2,151
$2,623$2,623
-6.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,003€6,136
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,268€4,615
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hilversum
Staten Island, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,747€3,282
$5,822$5,822
-35.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
6.74
-33.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hilversum: July 20, 2026
Last update for Staten Island, NY: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,721 in Hilversum and $1,745 in Staten Island, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Staten Island, NY pays 55% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $94.0 in Hilversum vs $101 in Staten Island, NY for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $352 vs $510 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 Staten Island, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hilversum and in Staten Island, NY?
Hilversum and Staten Island, NY differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($3,127 vs $2,916 including rent). Staten Island, NY 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 55% lower in Staten Island, NY. 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 Staten Island, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,721 in Hilversum versus $1,745 in Staten Island, NY. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Hilversum pay roughly 45% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hilversum or Staten Island, NY?
All in, you'll spend $3,127 per month in Hilversum versus $2,916 in Staten Island, NY – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $2,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Staten Island, NY 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 Staten Island, NY?
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 Staten Island, NY safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hilversum and Staten Island, NY 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 Staten Island, NY?
Expats usually find Staten Island, NY gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Hilversum. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.