😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,833 in The Hague versus $2,613 in Ijmuiden.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,224 in The Hague versus $3,795 in Ijmuiden.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,615 in The Hague versus $4,977 in Ijmuiden.
🌍Living in The Hague is roughly 8% more expensive than in Ijmuiden, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: The Hague105% above, Ijmuiden89% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.03€19.85
$19.87€17.13
15.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.6€78.9
$70.0€60.3
30.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$16.03€13.82
$12.54€10.81
27.83%
Cappuccino
$4.50€3.88
$4.36€3.76
3.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.49€3.87
$4.07€3.51
10.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.29€3.70
$3.13€2.70
37.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.03€6.06
$3.44€2.96
104.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.69€6.63
$5.16€4.44
49.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55€1.34
$1.29€1.11
20.16%
White Bread(500g)
$2.35€2.03
$2.52€2.17
-6.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.63€2.26
$2.73€2.35
-3.66%
Eggs
$4.83€4.17
$4.73€4.08
2.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.08€13.00
$15.16€13.07
-0.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.24€11.41
$14.38€12.40
-7.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.07€17.30
$16.77€14.45
19.68%
Apples(1kg)
$2.78€2.40
$2.81€2.42
-1.07%
Banana(1kg)
$2.27€1.96
$2.62€2.26
-13.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06€1.78
$2.04€1.76
0.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.75€3.23
$4.69€4.04
-20.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37€1.18
$1.97€1.70
-30.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.34€1.15
$2.50€2.15
-46.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22€1.05
$1.36€1.17
-10.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.96€0.83
$0.86€0.74
11.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.18€13.09
$14.77€12.73
2.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.08€5.25
$7.09€6.11
-14.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33€1.15
$1.58€1.36
-15.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01€1.73
$2.80€2.41
-28.21%
🚌 Getting Around
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.76€4.10
$3.48€3.00
36.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$96.0€82.7
$92.2€79.5
4.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.69€4.05
$4.08€3.51
14.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.54€3.05
$3.48€3.00
1.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.23€29.51
$29.40€25.34
16.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.64€2.28
$2.39€2.06
10.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.6K€36.7K
$43.7K€37.7K
-2.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.1K€35.5K
$40.7K€35.1K
1.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$293€252
$302€261
-3.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.18€25.16
$17.82€15.36
63.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.8€48.93
$50.3€43.32
12.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0€44.84
$43.04€37.10
20.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.94€21.50
$25.18€21.71
-0.95%
Cinema Ticket
$17.11€14.74
$16.30€14.05
4.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,510€2,164
$1,316€1,135
90.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.2K€10.5K
$11.7K€10.1K
4.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$97.2€83.8
$84.8€73.1
14.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.03€37.95
$39.45€34.01
11.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112€96.3
$116€100
-4.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143€123
$131€113
9.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,701€1,466
$1,451€1,251
17.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,343€1,158
$1,229€1,059
9.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,915€2,513
$2,399€2,068
21.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,399€2,068
$1,971€1,699
21.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,449€5,559
$5,452€4,700
18.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,597€3,963
$4,639€3,999
-0.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,390€3,785
$4,448€3,834
-1.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.4
3.5
-2.86%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for The Hague: September 6, 2026
Last update for Ijmuiden: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,701 in The Hague and $1,451 in Ijmuiden. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Ijmuiden pays 1% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $92.0 in The Hague vs $70.0 in Ijmuiden. Groceries flip the comparison at $341 vs $351, 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 Ijmuiden: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in The Hague and in Ijmuiden?
The Hague and Ijmuiden differ by about 8% in total monthly costs ($2,833 vs $2,613 including rent). Ijmuiden 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 1% lower in Ijmuiden. 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 The Hague and in Ijmuiden?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,701 in The Hague versus $1,451 in Ijmuiden. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Ijmuiden – a meal for two runs $70.0 versus $92.0 in The Hague. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: The Hague or Ijmuiden?
All in, you'll spend $2,833 per month in The Hague versus $2,613 in Ijmuiden – a 8% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Ijmuiden 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 Ijmuiden?
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 The Hague or Ijmuiden safer for residents?
Safety-wise, The Hague and Ijmuiden 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 Ijmuiden?
Expats usually find Ijmuiden gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in The Hague. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.