🇳🇱 Netherlands · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Nijmegen? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
1-bed flat, central (Centrum, Benedenstad, Altrade)€1,150-1,550 / month
Room in a shared house, with a permit€450-700 / month, often all-in
Utilities, internet and mobile, one person€150-215 / month
Municipal + water board taxes, single renter≈€400-500 / year in 2026; the waste levy is partly usage-based, so it varies
Good to know
Population
≈180,000 in the city; roughly 760,000 across the Arnhem-Nijmegen region. Around a quarter of residents are enrolled at Radboud or HAN
Languages
Dutch, in a Gelderland rather than a Brabant accent. English is the working language across the Radboud campus and Radboudumc research; German is genuinely useful this close to the border
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Time zone
CET (GMT+1), CEST (GMT+2) from late March to late October
Power plug
Types C and F, 230 V, 50 Hz
Climate
Temperate maritime with a continental edge — the warmest summers in the Netherlands most years, cool wet winters, and less wind than the coast
Terrain
Built on a glacial moraine ridge above the Waal, so genuinely hilly by Dutch standards — the Seven Hills run south-east towards Groesbeek
History
Claims the oldest city rights in the Netherlands, from the Roman settlement of Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum. The medieval centre was destroyed by an Allied bombing error on 22 February 1944
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Nijmegen checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Nijmegen
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.