😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,908 in The Hague versus $2,505 in Ijmuiden.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,295 in The Hague versus $3,549 in Ijmuiden.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,683 in The Hague versus $4,592 in Ijmuiden.
😐Living in The Hague is roughly 16% more expensive than Ijmuiden, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: The Hague117% above, Ijmuiden87% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.33€14.83
$20.22€17.31
-14.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.9€78.7
$70.0€60.0
31.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.10€12.07
$12.77€10.93
10.42%
Cappuccino
$4.27€3.65
$4.29€3.67
-0.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31€2.83
$3.44€2.95
-3.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68€2.29
$2.58€2.21
3.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.15€6.12
$3.50€2.99
104.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.72€4.90
$5.26€4.50
8.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35€1.16
$1.33€1.14
1.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.31€1.98
$2.33€2.00
-0.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.03€2.60
$3.28€2.81
-7.62%
Eggs
$5.03€4.30
$4.69€4.01
7.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.21€12.16
$13.42€11.49
5.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.34€13.13
$15.90€13.61
-3.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.36€14.00
$16.93€14.49
-3.37%
Apples(1kg)
$2.47€2.11
$2.37€2.03
4.22%
Banana(1kg)
$2.43€2.08
$2.54€2.17
-4.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92€1.65
$1.99€1.71
-3.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.69€4.01
$3.73€3.19
25.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.91€1.64
$1.98€1.70
-3.54%
Onion(1kg)
$2.00€1.71
$1.91€1.63
4.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.26€1.08
$1.22€1.05
3.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86€0.74
$0.81€0.69
6.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.72€11.75
$9.80€8.39
40.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.97€5.96
$6.93€5.93
0.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.19
$1.53€1.31
-9.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47€2.11
$2.70€2.31
-8.52%
🚌 Getting Around
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.42€2.93
$3.68€3.15
-7.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$117€100
$93.3€79.8
25.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.75€4.06
$4.37€3.74
8.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.04€2.60
$2.21€1.89
37.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.19€30.12
$28.82€24.67
22.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.22€1.90
$2.23€1.91
-0.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.9K€35.9K
$37.6K€32.2K
11.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0K€29.9K
$33.2K€28.4K
5.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$242€207
$257€220
-5.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.69€21.99
$24.67€21.12
4.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$45.91€39.30
$48.75€41.73
-5.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.59€36.46
$40.49€34.66
5.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.11€22.35
$23.17€19.84
12.69%
Cinema Ticket
$16.81€14.39
$15.55€13.31
8.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,403€2,057
$1,554€1,330
54.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.7K€10.0K
$8,061€6,900
45.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$126€108
$89.3€76.5
40.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.80€41.77
$38.50€32.96
26.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116€99.7
$122€104
-4.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$154€132
$131€112
17.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,732€1,482
$1,430€1,224
21.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,455€1,246
$1,181€1,011
23.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,047€2,608
$2,256€1,931
35.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,446€2,094
$1,708€1,462
43.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,597€5,647
$6,407€5,484
2.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,804€4,113
$4,854€4,155
-1.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
The Hague
Ijmuiden
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,566€3,909
$4,479€3,834
1.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
3.5
14.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for The Hague: April 27, 2026
Last update for Ijmuiden: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,732 in The Hague and $1,430 in Ijmuiden. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰The Hague pays 2% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $92.0 in The Hague vs $70.0 in Ijmuiden for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $346 vs $344 per month, with Ijmuiden 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
The Hague vs Ijmuiden: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in The Hague and Ijmuiden?
The Hague and Ijmuiden differ by about 16% in total monthly costs ($2,908 vs $2,505 including rent). Ijmuiden is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: The Hague or Ijmuiden?
The Hague pays 2% 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 Ijmuiden?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,732 in The Hague versus $1,430 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 $2,908 per month in The Hague versus $2,505 in Ijmuiden – a 16% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,505 in Ijmuiden versus $2,908 in The Hague, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Ijmuiden but tight or insufficient in The Hague. The gap between the two cities makes Ijmuiden the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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 16% less than in The Hague. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
The Hague vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado