Cost of living in Groningen: What to expect

Moving to Groningen? Explore rent, groceries, transport, and local secrets to budgeting smarter in 2026—perfect for students and young professionals!

Shreya

10 minute read

·

Updated on 6 Oct 2026

·

Living

What's the cost of living in Groningen in 2026?

A single person spends about €1,704 a month living in Groningen, and an international student can expect to budget around €1,546 a month, excluding tuition fees.

Located in the north of The Netherlands, Groningen is the 7th largest city by population. Choosing to live in Groningen is a smart decision as the current 181,194 residents can confirm. You'll be able to stretch your budget much more than in other Dutch cities, such as Amsterdam or Rotterdam. And as a bonus, you'll live in a city that has a reputation of being the best city in the Netherlands for students. If you’re still weighing your options, you can compare Groningen with other Dutch cities to find the right fit for your lifestyle and budget.

To help you prepare for your new life in Groningen, we've answered all your questions regarding the average cost of living in Groningen. For broader context, you can see the average cost of living in the Netherlands and understand how Groningen compares nationally.

Key takeaways

• Students: budget around €1,546 a month, excluding tuition fees, with a room in Groningen averaging €595 a month in rent.
• Single professionals: expect about €1,704 a month, comfortably covered by Groningen's average net salary of €2,712.
• Couples: plan for roughly €3,115 a month combined.
• Families of 4: budget close to €5,118 a month.
• Rent in Groningen runs about 40% lower than in Amsterdam, making it one of the most affordable major Dutch cities to settle in.
• Utilities average €264.71 a month, and groceries cost €200-€300 a month per person.

The average salary in Groningen is €2,712 net per month. Considering the average cost of living is around €951 excluding rent, you'll be able to live a comfortable life in Groningen.

Living costs in Groningen are also cheaper compared to other Dutch cities. For instance, the average rental prices in Groningen are 40% lower than those of rental homes in Amsterdam. Let's break down how much it would cost to live in Groningen.

The average monthly cost of living in Groningen is €1,704 for a single person, €3,115 for a couple, €5,118 for a family of 4, and €1,546 for an international student (without tuition fees).

Rental prices in The Netherlands are expensive in general. They're also the biggest expense per month. But luckily for you, rent in Groningen is not as high as in neighboring cities. You can also apply for rental allowance (huurtoeslag) which helps you cover the costs of renting in Groningen.

How much rent you'll pay depends on which neighbourhood in Groningen you'll live in. To compare, search for homes for rent in Groningen and filter it by neighborhoods.

But in general, based on HousingAnywhere's Rent Index, here're the average rental prices in Groningen:

Before you sign anything, check whether the price you're quoted is kale huur (bare rent) or an all-in price. Kale huur excludes utilities and service costs (servicekosten), which get added on top, so always confirm the full monthly total with the landlord. Budget one to two months' rent as a deposit when you book a place, since most landlords in the Netherlands ask for it upfront.

You can expect to pay approximately €264.71 per month on utility bills in Groningen.

Look for a place with a good energy label (A or B) if you want to keep heating costs down over the colder months. Older buildings with lower energy labels can cost noticeably more to heat in winter, so ask about the label before you commit.

Grocery costs

On average, you should budget €200-€300 per month for groceries in Groningen.

But doing groceries does not have to be expensive. You can spend less if you shop wisely. Not only can you shop in discount stores such as Lidl but also head to the local market (Vismarkt) every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for cheap and fresh produce.

Eating out costs

Once you've got groceries sorted, here's what to expect when you eat out. Groningen offers over 100s of bars, cafes and restaurants with no closing hours. This just means one thing: you can dine and drink all day long! But don't worry, you don't have to break your bank to eat out in Groningen. Eating out is cheaper than in other neighbouring cities.

Groningen has a compact city centre and this means that everything is within walking or cycling distance. This can help you save a lot of money on public transport as more than 50% of the trips made in Groningen are done by cycles! Oftentimes, it's even quicker to use your cycle.

You just need to invest in one good cycle and then you can say that you've cycled in the cycling Capital of the world!

The most popular public transport in Groningen is the bus. The busses are operated by Qbuzz and take you through Groningen and other nearby cities in the North, such as Drenthe.

You can also travel within the North region via the Arriva trains or throughout the rest of The Netherlands via the NS trains.

If you plan on frequently using the tram, bus, metro, and train across the Netherlands, get the OV Chipkaart (public transport card). The card only costs €7.50. Make sure to get a monthly or annual subscription as it's cheaper than getting a single ticket. Such subscriptions will either let you enjoy unlimited travel or discounts up to 40% outside of peak hours.

Taxis are really not common in Groningen because they tend to be expensive. You can expect to pay a starting tariff of €3.30 and €2.40 per k/m.

It's mandatory to have health insurance in The Netherlands. If you're a working intern or an international working expat, you can take the standard Dutch public health insurance. This costs around €159 per month. You can even apply for healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) which will help you cover the costs of health insurance.

International students or those without jobs need to take out international health insurance.

Tuition fees and study materials make up a big part of the cost of living for students in Groningen.

On average, EU/EEA students need to pay €2,694 per year for any regular Bachelor or Master degree.

International students will need to pay between €9,000 and €20,000 per year for a regular Bachelor degree and between €12,000 and €30,000 for a regular Master degree.

If you are moving to Groningen as a student, our do’s and don’ts for international students in Groningen covers everything you need to know before and after you arrive, like housing tips and settling into student life.

On average, you can expect a private daycare/pre-school to cost €9.83 to €11.83 per hour. That is around €1,200–€2,800/month gross for full-time care per child.

However, childcare costs in The Netherlands are subsidized. This subsidy is dependent on your working status, income, number of children, and how many days you want to enroll your child for. With the subsidy, you could be paying around €450–600/month per month for full-day daycare per child.

Groningen offers a diverse range of leisure activities, most of which are budget-friendly.

Just like in any other city, you can eat out, watch a movie in the theatres, visit the museum, or head to the gym. But what makes leisure time in Groningen special is the city's vibrant and young nightlife.

Head over to over 150 bars and clubs to enjoy Groningen's famous nightlife. So really, the party only stops when you're done! If you're student, you'll also enjoy the student discounts and the lack of any entrance fees at clubs.

Occasionally, you'll also get to enjoy yourself at the many festivals taking place in Groningen, such as Eurosonic or Kadepop. So the only question is how will you keep yourself busy in this buzzing and artsy city?

Yes. Groningen is one of the most affordable major cities in the Netherlands to rent and live in, sitting well below Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht on almost every cost category.

If your budget is the main factor in choosing where to live in the Netherlands, Groningen gives you the most room to spend on the things you actually enjoy, whether that's travel, going out, or just saving. For a broader income perspective, you can compare costs to the average salary in the Netherlands.

• Shop at discount supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi, and head to the Vismarkt on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for cheaper, fresher produce.
• Get a second-hand cycle instead of buying new. At around €70, it pays for itself within a few months of skipped bus fares.
• Get a monthly or annual OV-chipkaart subscription instead of buying single tickets if you use public transport regularly. You can save up to 40% outside peak hours.
• Use your student card everywhere. Clubs, museums, and many shops in Groningen offer student discounts, and some clubs skip the entrance fee entirely for students.
• Apply for huurtoeslag (rental allowance), zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance), and childcare subsidies if you qualify. These government benefits can significantly cut your monthly costs.
• Choose a room over a studio or apartment if you're on a tight budget. At €595 a month, it's the cheapest way to live in Groningen.

How much does it cost to live in Groningen per month? A single person spends around €1,704 a month in Groningen, while an international student budgets about €1,546 a month excluding tuition fees.

Is Groningen expensive to live in? No. Groningen is one of the more affordable major cities in the Netherlands. The average cost of living excluding rent is around €951 a month, comfortably covered by the average net salary of €2,712.

What is the average rent in Groningen? Rent averages €595 for a room, €753 for a studio, and €1,105 for an apartment, according to HousingAnywhere's Rent Index.

Is Groningen cheaper than Amsterdam? Yes. Average rental prices in Groningen are about 40% lower than in Amsterdam, and daily costs like groceries and eating out are cheaper too.

How much money do I need as a student in Groningen? Budget around €1,546 a month excluding tuition, covering rent, groceries, transport, and health insurance. EU/EEA students pay €2,694 a year in tuition, while non-EU students pay €9,000-€30,000 a year depending on the degree.

How much are utilities in Groningen? Utilities cost about €264.71 a month on average, covering electricity, water, heating, garbage, internet, and mobile.

Can I afford to live in Groningen as an international student? Yes, if you budget around €1,546 a month excluding tuition. Renting a room instead of a studio or apartment, shopping at discount supermarkets, and cycling instead of using public transport all help keep your costs down.

Now that you've got a better idea of the cost of living in Groningen, use this Netherlands arrival checklist to sort your BSN, registration, and banking before you move. Then, search for homes for rent in Groningen early so you can find housing that you like and fit your budget.

Booking through HousingAnywhere means you can secure your room, studio, or apartment before you even arrive, message the landlord directly to ask questions, and confirm everything online. That's one less cost to plan for: a scouting trip.