😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,110 in Rotterdam versus $2,564 in Etten-Leur.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,402 in Rotterdam versus $3,821 in Etten-Leur.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,694 in Rotterdam versus $5,078 in Etten-Leur.
🌍Living in Rotterdam is roughly 21% more expensive than in Etten-Leur, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Rotterdam126% above, Etten-Leur87% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$26.52€22.80
$23.57€20.26
12.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$94.3€81.1
$99.9€85.9
-5.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.00€12.04
$14.17€12.18
-1.20%
Cappuccino
$4.50€3.87
$3.91€3.36
15.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94€3.38
$3.60€3.09
9.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61€3.10
$2.98€2.57
21.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.22€6.21
$6.31€5.42
14.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.01€5.17
$5.56€4.78
8.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.59€1.36
$1.44€1.24
10.42%
White Bread(500g)
$2.39€2.05
$2.14€1.84
11.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.96€2.54
$2.62€2.25
12.98%
Eggs
$5.67€4.88
$5.01€4.31
13.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.70€10.92
$15.24€13.10
-16.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.81€11.87
$15.03€12.92
-8.12%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.92€17.13
$18.43€15.84
8.08%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39€2.92
$2.90€2.49
16.90%
Banana(1kg)
$2.72€2.34
$2.51€2.15
8.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.64€2.27
$1.90€1.63
38.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.49€3.00
$5.94€5.11
-41.25%
Potato(1kg)
$1.96€1.68
$2.02€1.74
-2.97%
Onion(1kg)
$1.54€1.33
$2.22€1.91
-30.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.54€1.33
$1.37€1.18
12.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.43€1.23
$0.77€0.66
85.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.05€12.93
$14.72€12.66
2.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.84€5.88
$7.42€6.38
-7.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54€1.33
$1.50€1.29
2.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63€2.26
$2.76€2.37
-4.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.78€4.11
$3.50€3.01
36.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$116€99.8
$93.7€80.5
23.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.92€4.23
$3.40€2.93
44.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.50€3.01
$1.73€1.49
102.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$68.9€59.2
$22.91€19.70
200.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.62€2.25
$2.47€2.12
6.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.7K€36.7K
$42.8K€36.8K
-0.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.0K€35.2K
$39.4K€33.9K
3.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$306€263
$194€167
57.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.36€19.23
$28.05€24.11
-20.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.9€48.89
$49.87€42.87
14.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.50€42.55
$20.19€17.36
145.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.92€25.72
$26.82€23.06
11.56%
Cinema Ticket
$16.20€13.93
$15.79€13.58
2.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,820€2,424
$709€610
297.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3K€11.4K
$5,584€4,800
137.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$97.0€83.4
$87.1€74.9
11.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.59€34.89
$51.1€43.96
-20.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114€98.4
$94.3€81.1
21.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$146€126
$148€127
-1.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,904€1,637
$1,461€1,256
30.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,560€1,341
$1,308€1,124
19.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,304€2,840
$2,463€2,117
34.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,402€2,065
$1,943€1,670
23.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,232€5,358
$4,268€3,669
46.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,161€3,577
$4,527€3,892
-8.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rotterdam
Etten-Leur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,257€3,660
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.49
3.89
-10.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rotterdam: September 1, 2026
Last update for Etten-Leur: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,904 in Rotterdam and $1,461 in Etten-Leur. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $94.0 in Rotterdam vs $100 in Etten-Leur for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $361 vs $362 per month, with Rotterdam 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
Rotterdam vs Etten-Leur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Etten-Leur cheaper than Rotterdam?
Etten-Leur is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $4,664 in Rotterdam and $3,846 in Etten-Leur to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Rotterdam and Etten-Leur?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,904 in Rotterdam versus $1,461 in Etten-Leur. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Rotterdam or in Etten-Leur?
Dining out is cheaper in Etten-Leur – a meal for two runs $100 versus $94.0 in Rotterdam. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Rotterdam and in Etten-Leur?
All in, you'll spend $3,110 per month in Rotterdam versus $2,564 in Etten-Leur – a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Rotterdam or in Etten-Leur?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Etten-Leur is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is Rotterdam or Etten-Leur more family-friendly?
For families, Etten-Leur is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Rotterdam, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Rotterdam or Etten-Leur?
Safety-wise, Rotterdam and Etten-Leur are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Etten-Leur gentler on the wallet – expenses run 21% less than in Rotterdam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.