Netherlands cost of living for students 2026
The Netherlands has a published price level at 88% of the United States in 2023. That gives you a broad cost comparison for everyday spending, not a full student budget.
Price level, against the United States
88%
A basket of goods costing $100 in the United States costs about $88 in Netherlands, at market exchange rates. This is a whole-economy average from the World Bank (2023), not a student budget — rent near a university and a student's own habits move it a long way in both directions.
A price level at 88% of the United States means the country is cheaper overall on that measure, but it does not tell you what your own monthly budget will be. It is a broad comparison, not a student bill, and it does not break out the individual costs that matter most in daily life.
For a student budget, the biggest swings usually come from housing, then food and transport, but only the overall price level is available here. The cities most often linked with study are Delft, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht, and Leiden, and local choices in those places can change how far your money goes.
There are 49 universities in the country, including Delft University of Technology, University of Amsterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology, Utrecht University, Leiden University, and the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine. The main student visa is the Dutch Student Visa (MVV and VVR), and the country uses the euro.
Dutch and English are both used, which can make day-to-day life easier for many international students. The GDP per capita, in purchasing power parity terms, is USD 68,574, but for deciding whether you can afford to study here, the key number is still the 88% price level against the United States.
Questions about cost of living in Netherlands
How does the Netherlands compare with the United States on price level?
The price level is 88% of the United States, based on 2023 data.
What does the price level measure tell a student?
It gives a broad cost comparison with the United States, but it does not provide a full student budget or separate out housing, food, or transport.
What language is used in the Netherlands for study and daily life?
Dutch and English are both used.
More on Netherlands: destination overview · universities · scholarships · student visa