Cost of living in Netherlands compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Netherlands is about the same as in Canada | ||||
| Netherlands | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €22 (C$34) | C$25 | + 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €12 (C$19) | C$15 | + 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €6 (C$10) | C$10 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.32 (C$2.07) | C$2.98 | - 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.79 (C$7) | C$5.68 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.39 (C$5.30) | C$5.98 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €7 (C$11) | C$13 | - 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.42 (C$3.79) | C$5.25 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.89 (C$2.96) | C$3.86 | - 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.72 (C$2.69) | C$3.94 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 (C$12) | C$22 | - 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €3.50 (C$5.47) | C$3.39 | + 61% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.58 (C$2.48) | C$3.20 | - 23% | |
| Housing | + 25% | |||
| Housing in Netherlands is 25% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Netherlands | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €2,723 (C$4,260) | C$3,190 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €2,127 (C$3,328) | C$2,630 | + 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €291 (C$455) | C$251 | + 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,748 (C$2,735) | C$2,174 | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €1,482 (C$2,319) | C$1,817 | + 28% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €173 (C$270) | C$131 | + 107% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €41 (C$64) | C$72 | - 11% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €339 (C$531) | C$351 | + 51% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €178 (C$278) | C$210 | + 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €12 (C$18) | C$18 | - 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €18 (C$28) | C$32 | - 12% | |
| Clothes | + 19% | |||
| Clothes in Netherlands is 19% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Netherlands | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €91 (C$142) | C$81 | + 76% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €35 (C$55) | C$64 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €103 (C$161) | C$135 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €121 (C$189) | C$170 | + 11% | |
| Transportation | + 54% | |||
| Transportation in Netherlands is 54% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Netherlands | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €36,888 (C$57,709) | C$33,165 | + 74% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €2.00 (C$3.12) | C$1.62 | + 92% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €106 (C$165) | C$112 | + 48% | |
| Personal Care | - 15% | |||
| Personal Care in Netherlands is 15% cheaper than in Canada | ||||
| Netherlands | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €7 (C$11) | C$13 | - 20% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €16 (C$26) | C$24 | + 5% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €53 (C$83) | C$151 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.67 (C$9) | C$11 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €4.25 (C$7) | C$8 | - 15% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €4.31 (C$7) | C$7 | - 0% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.00 (C$3.12) | C$3.95 | - 21% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €3.16 (C$4.94) | C$3.20 | + 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €30 (C$47) | C$34 | + 37% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in Netherlands is 15% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Netherlands | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €61 (C$95) | C$72 | + 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €30 (C$47) | C$34 | + 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €243 (C$380) | C$219 | + 74% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €84 (C$132) | C$130 | + 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €13 (C$20) | C$16 | + 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €4.09 (C$6) | C$5.96 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €5.92 (C$9) | C$8 | + 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €439 (C$687) | C$713 | - 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | C$0.45 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €54 (C$85) | C$64 | + 33% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €12 (C$19) | C$20 | - 7% | |
| TOTAL | + 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.564
CAD
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,013 prices entered by 554 different people.
Cost of living in Netherlands is 24% more expensive than in Canada
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