Cost of Living Comparison Between Zaandam and Akron, OH Cost of Living Comparison Between Zaandam and Akron, OH

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,590 in Zaandam versus $2,334 in Akron, OH.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,729 in Zaandam versus $3,428 in Akron, OH.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,868 in Zaandam versus $4,521 in Akron, OH.

Living in Zaandam is roughly 11% more expensive than Akron, OH, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Zaandam 93% above, Akron, OH 74% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.34 €14.93
$16.24 $16.24
6.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$87.9 €75.7
$54.4 $54.4
61.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.69 €11.79
$9.97 $9.97
37.31%
Cappuccino
$4.16 €3.58
$3.60 $3.60
15.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.86 €3.32
$2.39 $2.39
61.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 €2.81
$1.73 $1.73
88.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.13 €6.14
$5.08 $5.08
40.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.62 €4.84
$5.47 $5.47
2.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.23 €1.06
$1.06 $1.06
16.04%
White Bread (500g)
$2.37 €2.04
$2.70 $2.70
-12.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.09 €2.66
$7.01 $7.01
-55.92%
Eggs
$4.83 €4.16
$4.68 $4.68
3.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.14 €12.17
$15.45 $15.45
-8.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.43 €13.29
$11.89 $11.89
29.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.39 €14.97
$19.24 $19.24
-9.62%
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 €1.99
$7.66 $7.66
-69.71%
Banana (1kg)
$2.54 €2.19
$1.61 $1.61
57.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.87 €1.61
$10.15 $10.15
-81.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.99 €3.44
$6.41 $6.41
-37.75%
Potato (1kg)
$2.12 €1.82
$2.13 $2.13
-0.47%
Onion (1kg)
$1.96 €1.68
$3.41 $3.41
-42.52%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.24 €1.07
$2.35 $2.35
-47.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 €0.76
$1.87 $1.87
-52.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.22 €11.38
$9.13 $9.13
44.80%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.46 €6.42
$14.78 $14.78
-49.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49 €1.28
$1.76 $1.76
-15.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37 €2.04
$3.81 $3.81
-37.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.51 €3.02
$1.28 $1.28
174.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$93.1 €80.1
$49.02 $49.02
89.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.16 €3.58
$4.92 $4.92
-15.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.43 €2.09
$1.57 $1.57
54.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.96 €23.22
$29.03 $29.03
-7.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.30 €1.98
$0.80 $0.80
187.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.4K €33.1K
$25.2K $25.2K
52.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.1K €32.0K
$28.1K $28.1K
32.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$279 €240
$280 $280
-0.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.58 €20.30
$41.34 $41.34
-42.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.1 €44.89
$82.3 $82.3
-36.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.89 €41.24
$43.13 $43.13
11.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.03 €19.83
$17.60 $17.60
30.85%
Cinema Ticket
$15.13 €13.03
$12.11 $12.11
24.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,101 €1,809
$1,337 $1,337
57.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,171 €5,314
$12.5K $12.5K
-50.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$114 €97.8
$46.25 $46.25
145.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.90 €40.39
$63.6 $63.6
-26.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 €98.0
$87.1 $87.1
30.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$150 €129
$125 $125
20.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,407 €1,211
$964 $964
45.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,187 €1,022
$921 $921
28.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,334 €2,009
$1,281 $1,281
82.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,727 €1,487
$1,593 $1,593
8.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,479 €4,718
$1,564 $1,564
250.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,506 €3,880
$1,501 $1,501
200.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,845 €4,172
$3,330 $3,330
45.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.28
6.38
-32.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Zaandam: May 31, 2026

Last update for Akron, OH: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,407 in Zaandam and $964 in Akron, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Zaandam pays 45% 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: $88.0 in Zaandam vs $54.0 in Akron, OH. Groceries flip the comparison at $347 vs $460, with Zaandam 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
Zaandam vs Akron, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Zaandam and Akron, OH?
Zaandam and Akron, OH differ by about 11% in total monthly costs ($2,590 vs $2,334 including rent). Akron, OH is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Zaandam or Akron, OH?
Zaandam pays 45% 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 Zaandam and Akron, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,407 in Zaandam versus $964 in Akron, OH. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Zaandam or Akron, OH?
All in, you'll spend $2,590 per month in Zaandam versus $2,334 in Akron, OH – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Zaandam and Akron, OH?
A monthly transit pass in Akron, OH runs roughly 90% less than in Zaandam. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $2,334 in Akron, OH versus $2,590 in Zaandam, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Akron, OH but tight or insufficient in Zaandam. The gap between the two cities makes Akron, OH the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Zaandam and Akron, OH?
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 Zaandam or Akron, OH safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Zaandam and Akron, OH 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: Zaandam or Akron, OH?
Expats usually find Akron, OH gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Zaandam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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