Best Cities in Netherlands to Live In 2026
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Rotterdam
77/100The Hague
76/100Amsterdam
70/100Compare 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 77/100, and city-centre rent from around $1605/month.
What is the cheapest city in Netherlands?▾
The Hague has the most affordable city-centre rent in our Netherlands data, at around $1321/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 77/100 on our Livability Score vs 76/100 for The Hague. Rent is $1605/mo in Rotterdam vs $1321/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 required. Americans can use DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) to self-sponsor.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.