πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,842 in The Hague versus $2,373 in Delft.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,202 in The Hague versus $3,674 in Delft.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,562 in The Hague versus $4,975 in Delft.
πLiving in The Hague is roughly 20% more expensive than Delft, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: The Hague112% above, Delft77% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
The Hague
Delft
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.50β¬15.07
$17.70β¬15.25
-1.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.2β¬78.6
$80.7β¬69.5
13.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.94β¬12.00
$13.73β¬11.82
1.53%
Cappuccino
$4.40β¬3.79
$4.02β¬3.46
9.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40β¬2.92
$3.16β¬2.72
7.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78β¬2.39
$2.38β¬2.05
16.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.08β¬6.10
$6.00β¬5.17
18.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.89β¬5.08
$5.54β¬4.77
6.32%
π Groceries & Markets
The Hague
Delft
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31β¬1.13
$1.26β¬1.08
3.97%
White Bread(500g)
$2.33β¬2.00
$2.09β¬1.80
11.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.94β¬2.53
$3.35β¬2.89
-12.24%
Eggs
$4.86β¬4.18
$4.75β¬4.09
2.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.58β¬12.55
$13.91β¬11.98
4.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.69β¬13.51
$16.66β¬14.35
-5.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.40β¬14.13
$16.87β¬14.53
-2.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.38β¬2.05
$2.36β¬2.03
0.85%
Banana(1kg)
$2.46β¬2.12
$2.48β¬2.14
-0.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.95β¬1.68
$1.97β¬1.70
-1.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.66β¬4.02
$4.27β¬3.68
9.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.99β¬1.71
$2.11β¬1.82
-5.69%
Onion(1kg)
$2.08β¬1.79
$2.21β¬1.90
-5.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.25β¬1.08
$1.21β¬1.04
3.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86β¬0.74
$0.80β¬0.69
7.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.84β¬11.92
$14.22β¬12.24
-2.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.87β¬5.06
$7.23β¬6.23
-18.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45β¬1.25
$1.49β¬1.28
-2.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38β¬2.05
$2.69β¬2.32
-11.52%
π Getting Around
The Hague
Delft
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.37β¬2.91
$2.33β¬2.01
44.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$117β¬100
$68.4β¬58.9
70.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.87β¬4.20
$3.38β¬2.91
44.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.16β¬2.72
$3.21β¬2.76
-1.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.26β¬30.36
$51.8β¬44.63
-31.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.21β¬1.90
$2.29β¬1.97
-3.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.3Kβ¬36.4K
$40.8Kβ¬35.1K
3.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0Kβ¬30.1K
$38.1Kβ¬32.8K
-8.11%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
The Hague
Delft
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$243β¬209
$200β¬173
21.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.72β¬22.15
$28.77β¬24.77
-10.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$45.73β¬39.38
$39.38β¬33.91
16.12%
π Sport & Entertainment
The Hague
Delft
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.17β¬37.17
$32.62β¬28.09
32.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.41β¬22.74
$16.64β¬14.33
58.71%
Cinema Ticket
$16.89β¬14.55
$14.88β¬12.81
13.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
The Hague
Delft
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,369β¬2,040
$1,979β¬1,705
19.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.7Kβ¬10.0K
$6,306β¬5,430
85.00%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
The Hague
Delft
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$127β¬109
$75.2β¬64.7
69.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.38β¬41.66
$47.16β¬40.61
2.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117β¬101
$92.5β¬79.6
26.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$154β¬133
$133β¬114
16.22%
π Accommodation & Living
The Hague
Delft
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,692β¬1,457
$1,602β¬1,380
5.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,484β¬1,278
$1,169β¬1,006
26.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,068β¬2,642
$2,567β¬2,211
19.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,431β¬2,094
$2,151β¬1,852
13.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,528β¬5,621
$8,103β¬6,977
-19.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,719β¬4,064
$4,937β¬4,251
-4.40%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
The Hague
Delft
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,597β¬3,958
$3,614β¬3,112
27.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
4.33
-7.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for The Hague: June 2, 2026
Last update for Delft: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,692 in The Hague and $1,602 in Delft. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°The Hague pays 27% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $91.0 in The Hague vs $81.0 in Delft. Groceries flip the comparison at $346 vs $350, with The Hague 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
The Hague vs Delft: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in The Hague and Delft?
The Hague and Delft differ by about 20% in total monthly costs ($2,842 vs $2,373 including rent). Delft is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: The Hague or Delft?
The Hague pays 27% 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 The Hague and Delft?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,692 in The Hague versus $1,602 in Delft. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in The Hague and Delft?
A monthly transit pass in Delft runs roughly 71% less than in The Hague. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between The Hague and Delft?
Childcare runs $2,369 in The Hague versus $1,979 in Delft. 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. Delft 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 The Hague and Delft?
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 The Hague or Delft safer for residents?
Safety-wise, The Hague and Delft 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: The Hague or Delft?
Expats usually find Delft gentler on the wallet β expenses run 20% less than in The Hague. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.