Cost of Living in Leiden: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Leiden is a beautiful city and municipality in the South Holland province, Netherlands. The municipality of Leiden holds a total population of 127,046. The Duch city is renowned for housing one of the best-preserved historic centres in the Netherlands. Leiden also offers a plethora of career opportunities to international students and expats. Well, it can be expensive to study abroad in Leiden, but with the right knowledge of managing the expenses, you can stay comfortably there.

Whether you are moving to this city of the Netherlands to pursue higher education, seek employment, or simply retire, Leiden can be an ideal place for you. However, one should be aware of the cost of living in Leiden beforehand. If you’re curious about the average expenses in this beautiful city, join us. In this blog, we will discuss the living expenses of Leiden in complete detail. 

Cost of Living in Leiden: Overview

The average cost of living in Leiden for international students, including rent, is approximately EUR 2030 per month, as reported by LivingCost. However, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city of Leiden costs around RUB 35,909. Leiden offers a high quality of life with excellent amenities and abundant cultural with recreational opportunities.

Leiden ranks 3rd out of 70 cities in the Netherlands for its cost of living and is recognized as the 7th best city to reside in within the country. Understanding the typical expenses for international expats in Leiden involves considering various categories such as housing rent, utility bills, travel passes, personal expenses, and food and grocery costs. Below, we provide an overview of the average cost of living in Leiden across these essential categories. Take a look:

Hope you have a gist of what the cost of living in Leiden is all about. This is just the beginning! Now let’s start a journey on the breakup of the cost of living in Leiden in Detail.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Netherlands: Rent, Food, Expenses and More

Grocery Costs in Leiden

Generally, grocery expenses in Leiden can vary based on factors such as the type of store, and your dietary preferences. It’s advisable to budget accordingly and compare prices at different stores to manage grocery expenses effectively.
Grocery expenses are a significant part of the overall cost of living in Leiden city. Understanding the average costs of essential grocery items can help students budget effectively. The table provided below shows the average expense of groceries you can expect in Leiden:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt	EUR 1.04
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb	EUR 1.52
Rice, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 3.08
Eggs, x12	EUR 3.95
Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 11.80
Apples, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 1.60
Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 2.16
Oranges, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 1.84
Tomato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 2.90
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 1.83
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	EUR 1.61
Water, 1 L or 1 qt	EUR 0.45

Restaurant food Costs in Leiden

The Leiden city offers a wide array of dining options, ranging from traditional cuisine to international dishes. The Lunch at Leiden’s expensive restaurant can cost around EUR 20.1. If you are looking for the monthly cost of food in Leiden it would cost you around EUR 524.

However, having an idea of the costs associated with dining out in Leiden can be beneficial for students in order to manage the average cost of living in Leiden. The table given below shows the average restaurant costs you might have to bear in Leiden while studying:

Approx Costs	Approx Costs
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	EUR 14
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	EUR 70
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	EUR 12
Cappuccino (regular)	EUR 2.98

Cost of Utility in Leiden

For individuals living in Leiden, the average basic utility cost is around EUR 134 per month. This amount reflects the relatively higher utility expenses in the Netherlands, which encompass heating, electricity, gas, mobile phone plans, and internet services. Here is a detailed breakdown of typical utility costs that international students can expect while residing in Leiden:

Utility Type	Approx. Monthly Cost
Basic (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	EUR 222
Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone with Calls and 10GB+ Data	EUR 25
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	EUR 43

Also Read: Cost of Living in Italy

Cost of Recreation in Leiden

Leiden, an amazing city in the Netherlands, offers various recreational activities like Fitness Clubs, sports and Cinema tickets that cater to diverse interests. The cost of recreation in Leiden can vary widely depending on the type of activities you choose to engage in. Here’s an overview of the typical costs associated with some popular recreational options in Leiden:

Sports And Leisure	Approx Costs
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	EUR 35.50
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	EUR 17.50
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	EUR 12.50
Clothing And Shoes
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	EUR 91.75
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …)	EUR 40
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	EUR 95

Cost of Transportation in Leiden

The cost of transportation in Leiden, like in many European cities, includes various options such as buses, trams, trains, boats, and bicycles. Public transportation is well-developed and efficient, catering to both residents and students. Commuting expenses to and from the university need to be factored in when calculating the Cost of living in Leiden.

Monthly transportation passes or cards are often available, which may cost around EUR 49.7. With this amount, you will get unlimited or discounted access to public transport services. Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with transportation in Leiden:

Transportation Mode	Approx Costs
Price of a One-way Ticket for Local Transport	EUR 2.75
Regular Price of Monthly Pass	EUR 50
Cost of Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	EUR 4.50
Cost of Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	EUR 2
Cost of Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	EUR 23.20
Gasoline (1 liter)	EUR 1.93

Cost of Accommodation in Leiden

Leiden offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences for the students. The cost of accommodation in Leiden can vary significantly based on factors such as location, type of housing, and amenities provided. This is what the housing costs look like in Leiden:

Type of Apartments	Approx Costs
Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	EUR 1,357.75
Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	EUR 1,063
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	EUR 2,162
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment Outside of Centre	EUR 1,737

Average Tuition Fees in Leiden

Now that you know the cost of living in Leiden, international students going for higher studies in Leiden should also consider their university tuition fees. They must do proper research and compare the average tuition fees of universities in Leiden, as it costs a lot there.

Let’s look at the average tuition expense you can expect at a university in this city. The table shown below displays the average annual tuition fees at a university in Leiden.  

Level of Courses	Average Tuition Fees
Undergraduate Courses	EUR 6,000 – EUR 15,000
Postgraduate Courses	EUR 8,000 – EUR 20,000
PhD Courses	EUR 6,000 – EUR 20,000

Cost of Living Comparison: Leiden vs Other Cities

When comparing the cost of living in Leiden to other major cities in the Netherlands or outside the country, it’s important to consider factors like housing rent, utility bills, food, and transportation. Leiden is known for its relatively affordable costs in these areas. To make informed decisions about moving and studying in Leiden, it’s essential to understand how its cost of living measures up against other cities.

To provide an accurate comparison, we have gathered data on the cost of living in major countries such as the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland and Germany. This comparison will offer a detailed insight into living expenses across different urban centres, aiding in better clarity and decision-making.

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Leiden
Cost of Living in the Netherlands	EUR 1790 (including rent)	Lower than Leiden
Cost of Living in Poland	EUR 1047 (including rent)	Lower than Leiden
Cost of Living in Amsterdam	EUR 2343 (including rent)	Higher than Leiden
Cost of Living in Germany	EUR 1456 (including rent)	Lower than Leiden
Cost of Living in Switzerland	EUR 2666 (including rent)	Higher than Leiden

Also Read: Cost of Living in London for Students

Why Choose Leiden to Study Abroad

The charming and historic city of Leiden offers an ideal place to pursue higher education, with its prestigious universities and welcoming environment. After diving into the cost of living in Leiden, let’s understand why this city is an ideal study-abroad destination. 

Here are some of the main reasons why you should choose Leiden to study abroad:

Safe City 

Leiden is known for being a safe city for students, with low crime rates and a good public transportation system.

Vibrant Cultural Scenes 

Leiden provides a vibrant cultural scene with various museums, galleries, and theatres. Students can benefit from this and learn a lot about the history and culture. You can explore popular places like the Museum De Lakenhal and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. 

Top Universities

Leiden is home to some of the best universities in the world, such as:

• Leiden University
• University of Applied Sciences Leiden
• Webster University Leiden

Recreational Opportunities 

Along with the cultural offerings, Leiden provides a wide range of recreational opportunities. You can visit the city’s parks and green spaces that offer tranquil retreats for relaxation or outdoor activities. The city is also famous for its vibrant nightlife, housing a variety of live music venues, clubs, and bars. 

Things to Know When Moving to Leiden

There can be various reasons for moving to Leiden, be it the career opportunities or simply the ideal living conditions. In case you have made up your mind to move to Leiden, then here are some crucial things you should keep in mind beforehand: 

Excellent Transportation

The outstanding transport system of Leiden connects all corners of the Netherlands, making it very convenient for students and expats. The public transportation network in Leiden includes trains and buses, making it convenient to get around the city and its surroundings. 

Bike Friendly

One of the best ways to get around Leiden is via bike. The roads and bicycle paths of the city are well thought out and built with cyclists in mind. 

Fantastic Work-Life Balance

Leiden boasts an outstanding work-life balance. The usual workweek in Leiden is about 35 – 40 hours, with numerous companies providing early finish times on Fridays. 

Affordable Cost of Living 

The living expenses in Leiden are lower when compared to other major cities in the Netherlands, such as Utrecht, Amsterdam, or Rotterdam. 

A Museum Town

There are a total of 14 museums in Leiden despite being a small city. One of the most popular museums in the city is the National Museum of Antiquities. 

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Leiden

So, this was all about the cost of living in Leiden. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.