πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,991 in Staten Island, NY versus $3,081 in Hilversum.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,613 in Staten Island, NY versus $4,450 in Hilversum.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,236 in Staten Island, NY versus $5,819 in Hilversum.
πLiving in Staten Island, NY costs roughly 3% less than in Hilversum, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Staten Island, NY123% above, Hilversum130% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.76$21.76
$28.56β¬24.36
-23.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.9$98.9
$91.4β¬77.9
8.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.86$11.86
$16.18β¬13.80
-26.70%
Cappuccino
$5.79$5.79
$4.58β¬3.91
26.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35$2.35
$3.77β¬3.22
-37.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55$1.55
$3.14β¬2.68
-50.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.95$7.95
$5.84β¬4.98
36.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.04$8.04
$5.24β¬4.47
53.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55$1.55
$1.32β¬1.13
17.42%
White Bread(500g)
$4.50$4.50
$2.17β¬1.85
107.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$8.00$8.00
$3.73β¬3.18
114.48%
Eggs
$6.77$6.77
$4.97β¬4.24
36.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.11$17.11
$12.99β¬11.08
31.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.44$13.44
$17.56β¬14.98
-23.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.48$20.48
$17.50β¬14.93
17.03%
Apples(1kg)
$6.45$6.45
$1.97β¬1.68
227.41%
Banana(1kg)
$2.58$2.58
$2.57β¬2.19
0.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.81$5.81
$1.95β¬1.66
197.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.49$6.49
$3.79β¬3.24
71.24%
Potato(1kg)
$3.81$3.81
$2.08β¬1.77
83.17%
Onion(1kg)
$3.97$3.97
$2.13β¬1.82
86.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.85$2.85
$1.17β¬1.00
143.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.83$2.83
$0.96β¬0.82
194.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$19.38$19.38
$12.18β¬10.39
59.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.09$15.09
$6.99β¬5.96
115.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80$1.80
$1.48β¬1.26
21.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90$3.90
$2.75β¬2.34
41.82%
π Getting Around
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.97$2.97
$4.74β¬4.05
-37.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$97.2β¬82.9
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.95$2.95
$5.73β¬4.89
-48.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14$2.14
$2.11β¬1.80
1.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$41.55$41.55
$28.38β¬24.21
46.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90$0.90
$2.26β¬1.93
-60.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K$35.0K
$40.9Kβ¬34.9K
-14.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K$27.5K
$39.7Kβ¬33.8K
-30.68%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$216$216
$257β¬219
-15.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.0$59.0
$29.99β¬25.58
96.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.1$62.1
$57.7β¬49.22
7.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$115$115
$69.8β¬59.6
65.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$41.11β¬35.07
-
Cinema Ticket
$20.05$20.05
$17.06β¬14.56
17.53%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,975$1,975
$676β¬577
192.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.7K$15.7K
$7,468β¬6,370
110.49%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.3$68.3
$128β¬109
-46.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.57$37.57
$61.4β¬52.4
-38.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112$112
$133β¬113
-15.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104$104
$184β¬157
-43.50%
π Accommodation & Living
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,780$1,780
$1,750β¬1,493
1.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,374$1,374
$1,531β¬1,306
-10.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,240$3,240
$3,054β¬2,605
6.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,680$2,680
$2,401β¬2,048
11.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,355β¬6,273
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$5,502β¬4,693
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Staten Island, NY
Hilversum
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,221$6,221
$3,916β¬3,340
58.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.74
4.5
49.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Staten Island, NY: April 22, 2026
Last update for Hilversum: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,780 in Staten Island, NY and $1,750 in Hilversum. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Staten Island, NY pays 59% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $99 in Staten Island, NY vs $91 in Hilversum for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $515 vs $355 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
Staten Island, NY vs Hilversum: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Staten Island, NY and Hilversum?
Staten Island, NY and Hilversum differ by about 3% in total monthly costs ($2,991 vs $3,081 including rent). Staten Island, NY is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Staten Island, NY or Hilversum?
Staten Island, NY pays 59% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Staten Island, NY and Hilversum?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,780 in Staten Island, NY versus $1,750 in Hilversum. 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: Staten Island, NY or Hilversum?
All in, you'll spend $2,991 per month in Staten Island, NY versus $3,081 in Hilversum β a 3% 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 Staten Island, NY and Hilversum?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Staten Island, NY or Hilversum safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Staten Island, NY and Hilversum 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: Staten Island, NY or Hilversum?
Expats usually find Staten Island, NY gentler on the wallet β expenses run 3% less than in Hilversum. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Staten Island, NY vs other spots: cost of living compared