Skyline of Utrecht
Cost of Living: 76.5 374,238

Utrecht, Netherlands

A charming medieval university city with a youthful energy, excellent central rail connections, and a canal-ringed historic core.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 76.5

Below Average vs Netherlands Avg (100)

Housing Index 122

Above Average

Median Income €42,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.2%

Job market health

Utrecht vs Netherlands Average

Cost of Living
Utrecht: 76.5
Netherlands Avg: 100
Housing Index
Utrecht: 122
Netherlands Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Utrecht: 30%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30.0%
  • Sales Tax: 21.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €42,000
  • Unemployment: 3.2%
  • Population: 374,238

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 170/year
  • Summer High: 73°F
  • Winter Low: 34°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: €485,000
  • 1BR Rent: €1550/mo

Cost of Living

Utrecht's cost of living index is 76.5 (Netherlands average = 100).

CategoryUtrechtNational AverageDifference
Overall76.5100-23.5%
Housing122100+22.0%

Data source: Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€485,000
Median Rent (1BR)€1550/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€1,938/mo
Price per Sq Ft€323

Data source: Pararius/Funda, 2025

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Utrecht:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€140
Heating & Cooling€101Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€45Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€45Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€30Private service
Total Utilities€361Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: CBS, Netbeheer, ACM 2024

Remote Work Score

Utrecht scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
76.5
Rent
€1550
Sunny Days
170
Tax
30%
Unemployment
3.2%
Climate
73°F / 34°F
Safety
0.7 homicides/100k
Population
374,238
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Utrecht has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January54°F34°F2.5"
April58°F49°F2.8"
July73°F48°F1.5"
October53°F52°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Utrecht faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Low-lying country with significant flood risk from rivers and sea.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Netherlands experiences winter storms.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 30%
  • Sales Tax: 21%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Utrecht per 100,000 residents:

62.5
Violent Crime
1,649.5
Property Crime
0.7
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year August to July
Term System Trimester — Herfst (Aug-Dec), Voorjaar (Jan-Apr), Zomer (Apr-Jul)
Summer Break July to August (6 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break May holiday (1 week)

School holidays are staggered across three regions (North, Central, South).

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#73
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University Utrecht University

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Utrecht, Netherlands?

The cost of living index in Utrecht is 76.5, which is Lower the Netherlands national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Utrecht?

The median home price in Utrecht is €485,000. The housing index is 122.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Utrecht is approximately €1550/mo.

Does Utrecht, UT have income tax?

Utrecht is in UT, which has an income tax rate of 30%.

What is the climate like in Utrecht?

Utrecht enjoys approximately 170 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 73°F, while winter lows can drop to around 34°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Pararius/Funda, 2025
  • Income & Employment: CBS StatLine, 2024
  • Utilities CBS, Netbeheer, ACM 2024

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.