🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,420 in Zaandam versus $2,252 in Akron, OH.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,539 in Zaandam versus $3,360 in Akron, OH.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,659 in Zaandam versus $4,468 in Akron, OH.
🌍Living in Zaandam costs roughly 37% less than in Akron, OH, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Zaandam3% above, Akron, OH64% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.77€19.65
$16.95$16.95
34.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$83.7€72.2
$76.2$76.2
9.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.91€12.00
$10.18$10.18
36.64%
Cappuccino
$4.34€3.74
$3.67$3.67
18.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90€3.37
$2.07$2.07
88.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51€3.03
$1.65$1.65
112.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.78€4.99
$5.11$5.11
13.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.39€4.65
$4.91$4.91
9.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35€1.17
$0.90$0.90
50.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.47€2.13
$2.38$2.38
3.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.84€2.45
$7.34$7.34
-61.31%
Eggs
$5.01€4.33
$4.77$4.77
5.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.01€12.09
$15.45$15.45
-9.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.21€11.40
$11.58$11.58
14.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.62€15.21
$19.25$19.25
-8.47%
Apples(1kg)
$2.68€2.31
$7.02$7.02
-61.82%
Banana(1kg)
$2.51€2.17
$1.54$1.54
62.99%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.98€1.71
$7.55$7.55
-73.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.50€3.89
$6.84$6.84
-34.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.89€1.63
$3.96$3.96
-52.27%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28€1.97
$3.81$3.81
-40.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.23€1.06
$2.52$2.52
-51.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03€0.89
$2.05$2.05
-49.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.37€12.40
$9.80$9.80
46.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.53€6.49
$14.30$14.30
-47.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.50€1.29
$1.76$1.76
-14.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46€2.13
$5.23$5.23
-52.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.64€3.14
$1.28$1.28
184.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$85.5€73.8
$49.76$49.76
71.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.66€5.74
$5.03$5.03
32.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.34€2.02
$1.80$1.80
30.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$27.31€23.56
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.45€2.12
$0.94$0.94
160.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.3K€37.4K
$36.5K$36.5K
18.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.6K€35.0K
$27.4K$27.4K
47.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$278€240
$247$247
12.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.47€21.11
$40.91$40.91
-40.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.4€50.4
$78.6$78.6
-25.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$48.67€41.99
$44.04$44.04
10.51%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.45€25.41
$17.19$17.19
71.32%
Cinema Ticket
$16.70€14.41
$12.59$12.59
32.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,558€2,207
$1,299$1,299
96.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,066€6,098
$12.5K$12.5K
-43.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.7€77.4
$54.5$54.5
64.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.71€35.99
$64.9$64.9
-35.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103€88.9
$104$104
-1.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104€90.0
$126$126
-17.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,415€1,221
$944$944
49.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$860$860
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,719€1,483
$1,375$1,375
24.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,601€2,244
$1,470$1,470
76.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,520€4,763
$1,538$1,538
258.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,423€3,817
$1,489$1,489
197.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zaandam
Akron, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,913€4,239
$3,265$3,265
50.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
6.05
-37.02%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zaandam: August 30, 2026
Last update for Akron, OH: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,415 in Zaandam and $944 in Akron, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Zaandam pays 50% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $84.0 in Zaandam vs $76.0 in Akron, OH. Groceries flip the comparison at $344 vs $454, 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 in Akron, OH?
Zaandam and Akron, OH differ by about 59% in total monthly costs ($1,420 vs $2,252 including rent). Zaandam is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Zaandam or Akron, OH?
Average pay runs 50% higher in Zaandam, 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 in Akron, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,415 in Zaandam versus $944 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 $1,420 per month in Zaandam versus $2,252 in Akron, OH – a 59% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Zaandam and in Akron, OH?
A monthly transit pass in Zaandam runs roughly 72% less than in Akron, OH. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,420 in Zaandam versus $2,252 in Akron, OH, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Zaandam but tight or insufficient in Akron, OH. The gap between the two cities makes Zaandam 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 Zaandam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 59% less than in Akron, OH. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.