📌Living costs for one person come to about $2,146 monthly including rent, or $1,104 excluding housing.
📌Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,116 with rent, or $1,758 without housing.
📌Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,086 including rent, or $2,412 for daily expenses alone.
📊Groningen sits 45–60% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 21% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.0K€25.0K
$28.4K€24.5K
$41.1K€35.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8K€28.3K
$30.2K€26.0K
$41.0K€35.3K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$211€182
$169€145
$366€315
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.91€18.86
$11.20€9.65
$31.61€27.22
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.36€39.92
$33.20€28.59
$74.4€64.1
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.44€33.10
$12.58€10.83
$69.7€60.0
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.13€12.17
$11.46€9.86
$17.19€14.80
Cinema Ticket
$14.40€12.40
$13.82€11.90
$16.12€13.88
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,782€1,535
$1,611€1,387
$2,260€1,946
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,651€7,450
$8,429€7,258
$10.9K€9,411
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.9€58.4
$34.51€29.72
$115€99.1
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.95€22.35
$17.24€14.84
$40.22€34.64
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.2€74.2
$67.6€58.2
$117€100
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.4€77.0
$79.8€68.7
$116€99.5
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,189€1,024
$843€726
$1,745€1,503
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$899€774
$570€491
$1,368€1,178
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,732€1,491
$1,046€901
$2,209€1,902
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,355€1,167
$910€783
$1,933€1,665
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,570€4,796
$4,950€4,262
$8,250€7,104
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,272€3,678
$3,967€3,416
$5,763€4,962
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,903€2,500
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.64
1.8
4.6
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $1,189 for a central one-bedroom, or $899 outside the center. At 41% of the average salary ($2,903), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $2,903, while typical expenses reach $2,146. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $3,218.
🛒Expect to spend about $339 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $94.0 for two – above the European average of $75.0.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $67.9 per month – above the European average of $48.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Gasoline is more expensive than 97% of cities in Europe
⭐Fast food meal is more expensive than 93% of cities in Europe
⭐Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 92% of cities in Europe
Groningen Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)
Mobile
Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
Fixed Broadband
Download
Mbps
Upload
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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Low risk of other local infectious diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tick-borne encephalitis, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and Sleeping sickness
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Cost of Living in Groningen - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Cost of Living in Groningen compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Groningen tends to offer a practical balance for budget-conscious visitors and remote workers who want a city feel without Amsterdam-scale costs. Cost of Living in Groningen, Netherlands sits between major western capitals and smaller regional cities, with moderate housing options, affordable student-friendly eateries, and efficient biking and transit that keep daily expenses predictable. You’ll find value in neighborhoods a short ride from the center, and in off-peak season when hospitality and coworking spaces are less crowded. It suits those who prioritize quality of life over flashy nightlife. Tip: Plan stays with long-term accommodations and test a few different districts to gauge your monthly rhythm.
What does daily life look like in Groningen regarding housing search, groceries, transport, coworking, and errands?
In daily life, your housing search will benefit from focusing on walkable areas near the city center or the university, with good access to bike paths and bus lines. Food comes from a mix of supermarkets, local markets, and affordable eateries; you can stretch your budget with seasonal produce and bulk buys. Transportation is bike-first, supported by an efficient bus network, making errands quick and predictable. Co-working spaces and cafés cater to freelancers and travelers, with flexible passes. Groningen living cost varies by neighborhood and seasonality, so plan a few short stays to compare options. Tip: Map out a few backup routes for rainy days and keep an adaptable schedule.
What quality-of-life and budgeting strategies help you thrive in Groningen, including seasonality, neighborhood fit, and sustainable living?
You’ll find a high quality of life here, with compact streets, safe neighborhoods, and a lively cultural calendar. Build a simple budgeting framework you can repeat: set a weekly food plan, cap drinks and dining out, and use cycling or walking to stay fit and save on transit. Seasonality affects activities; summers invite long outdoor markets and parks, while winters emphasize cozy cafés and community events. For neighborhood fit, test a few districts – university-adjacent areas for shorter commutes, historic center for walkability, or calmer residential zones a bike ride away. Tip: Use flexible coworking passes and monthly transit cards to adapt as your plans shift.
Is Groningen expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Groningen is moderately priced at about $2,146 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Groningen?
With 41% of the average paycheck going to rent, Groningen is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
Can you save money on an average salary in Groningen?
At $2,903 take-home, most residents in Groningen can cover the $2,146 monthly cost of living. Those earning $3,218 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Groningen?
Where you live in Groningen makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,189; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $899. Overall, the market runs from $899 to $1,189 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Groningen?
A regular gym membership in Groningen costs around $38.44 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Groningen?
Expect to spend around $339 per month on groceries in Groningen. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Groningen?
Living on $2,000 in Groningen means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,146. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Groningen?
Groningen offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, and at around $2,146 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.