Arnhem vs Spakenburg: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Spakenburg costs roughly 72% less than Arnhem. Arnhem has significantly faster average internet speeds (150 Mbps vs 110 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Arnhem is approximately 18% less expensive than Spakenburg based on cost of living including rent. This makes Arnhem a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Arnhem has a FIRE Score of 68/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Arnhem is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Arnhem
Arnhem is a quietly smart pick for expats who want Amsterdam access without Amsterdam rent, since a one-bedroom outside the center runs $1,163/mo against a local average net salary of $3,668/mo. The safety index of 85/100 and crime index of 15/100 make it one of the easier Dutch cities to settle into, and English is widely spoken with a medium expat community centered on Sonsbeek. It is not a bargain by Dutch standards, though: $1,080/mo in non-rent costs for a single adult adds up fast, and the budget tier total of $1,400/mo leaves little room for error. Come for the calm, the healthcare, and the 150 Mbps internet; do not come expecting big-city nightlife or a cheap lifestyle.
About Netherlands
Best for digital nomads with high income: the Netherlands offers a self-employment residency visa with a posted income floor of $1,713/month, but check the latest application details. Safety is top-tier with a 73.1 Safety Index and a US Travel Advisory Level 2, comparable to safe US metros. The trade-off: a progressive income tax up to 49.5% on local earnings, which can erode remote-work arbitrage gains.
$871/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Spakenburg
A realistic month runs $1,377 on a budget or $1,941 mid-range, and rent is the deciding lever: $896 outside the center versus $1,680 in it. Internet at 110.4 Mbps plus excellent healthcare carry the remote-work case, but an expat community this thin means building a social circle from zero. Fits remote workers who take outside-center housing. Not Americans wanting a city-center one-bedroom on a budget.
About Netherlands
Best for digital nomads with high income: the Netherlands offers a self-employment residency visa with a posted income floor of $1,713/month, but check the latest application details. Safety is top-tier with a 73.1 Safety Index and a US Travel Advisory Level 2, comparable to safe US metros. The trade-off: a progressive income tax up to 49.5% on local earnings, which can erode remote-work arbitrage gains.
$1,059/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Arnhem | Spakenburg |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1426.86 | $1679.6 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1162.85 | $895.79 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2234.81 | $2239.47 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1813.97 | $1679.6 |
| Safety Index | 85 | 85 |
| Internet Speed | 150Mbps | 110.4Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Arnhem | Spakenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,229/mo | $2,041/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,066/mo | $1,145/mo |
| Rent | $1,163/mo | $896/mo |
| Groceries | $263/mo | $265/mo |
| Dining out | $224/mo | $201/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $121/mo | $81.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $346/mo | $340/mo |
| Transport | $112/mo | $258/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Arnhem vs Spakenburg -- Frequently Asked Questions
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