Best cities to live in Netherlands (2026)
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Grid reliability
Path to PR
Corporate tax
Rotterdam
76/100The Hague
75/100Amsterdam
69/100Compare cities in Netherlands
❓ Living in Netherlands — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Netherlands?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Rotterdam ranks #1 in Netherlands with a score of 76/100, and city-centre rent from around $1805/month.
What is the cheapest city in Netherlands?▾
The Hague has the most affordable city-centre rent in our Netherlands data, at around $1548/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in Netherlands?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Rotterdam is the safest city in Netherlands in our database, with a rate of 0.7 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Rotterdam or The Hague?▾
Rotterdam scores 76/100 on our Livability Score vs 75/100 for The Hague. Rent is $1805/mo in Rotterdam vs $1548/mo in The Hague. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Netherlands?▾
Netherlands offers the Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant (complex process). Duration: Up to 5 years. Key requirement: Employer sponsorship via IND-recognized sponsor. Min salary €5,942/mo (30+) or €4,357/mo (under 30). DAFT is a separate self-employment track for US citizens.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.
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