Photo: Luke Price · CC BY 2.0
Cost of Living in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam is a city in Netherlands, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,678 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,797 per month, or $1,432 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 224 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Rotterdam scores 75/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 72°F and winter highs around 42°F, with roughly 126 sunny days a year.
Rotterdam Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Rotterdam
How Rotterdam Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Rotterdam ranks in the top 3% for public transit, but sits in the bottom 12% for food scene. It costs more than 86% of them.
| Metric | Rotterdam | World rank | Rank in Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,678 | #295 of 340 | #81 of 91 |
| Safety | 75/100 | #107 of 340 | #60 of 91 |
| Healthcare | 82/100 | #74 of 340 | #4 of 91 |
| Internet speed | 224 Mbps | #113 of 340 | #23 of 91 |
| Walkability | 78/100 | #37 of 340 | #27 of 91 |
| Public transit | 88/100 | #9 of 340 | #4 of 91 |
| Food scene | 60/100 | #303 of 340 | #76 of 91 |
| Air quality | 68/100 | #284 of 340 | #86 of 91 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Rotterdam
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Rotterdam.
- Vilnius, Lithuania — $1,541/mo, 42% cheaper, safety 80/100
- Dusseldorf, Germany — $2,200/mo, 18% cheaper, safety 80/100
- Cologne, Germany — $2,100/mo, 22% cheaper, safety 75/100
- Tallinn, Estonia — $1,660/mo, 38% cheaper, safety 80/100
Rotterdam FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Rotterdam?
A single person should budget around $2,678 per month in Rotterdam, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,428 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Rotterdam?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Rotterdam averages $1,797 per month, dropping to about $1,432 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $3,060.
Is Rotterdam safe?
Rotterdam scores 75/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 75/100.
How fast is the internet in Rotterdam?
Median download speeds in Rotterdam are around 224 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 55 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Netherlands offer a digital nomad visa?
Netherlands does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 90 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in Rotterdam?
Rotterdam sees summer highs around 72°F and winter highs near 42°F, with about 126 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 137 days.
Visa Requirements for Netherlands
Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Netherlands and how to apply.
Explore More
See Rotterdam on the interactive map →