Leeuwarden vs Edam
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Leeuwarden is approximately 64% less expensive than Edam based on cost of living including rent. This makes Leeuwarden a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Leeuwarden has a FIRE Score of 67/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65.75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Leeuwarden is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
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Best in rowNetherlands
Leeuwarden
Netherlands
Edam
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden is a small, safe, affordable Dutch city that punches above its weight for remote workers and students, with a cost of living index of 71/100 and a safety index of 85/100. Rents stay reasonable outside the center, where a one-bedroom runs $1,036/mo, though the $3,770/mo city-center three-bedroom is a rude shock for a town of 94 thousand. The catch is the climate: cool summers, cold winters, and constant rain mean you will buy waterproofs and learn to live with gray skies. Come for the low costs and strong English proficiency, not for sunshine or a big expat crowd.
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.
Edam costs roughly 70% less than Leeuwarden. Leeuwarden leads on digital nomad infrastructure. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Leeuwarden is approximately 64% less expensive than Edam based on cost of living including rent. This makes Leeuwarden a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Leeuwarden has a FIRE Score of 67/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65.75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Leeuwarden is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden is a small, safe, affordable Dutch city that punches above its weight for remote workers and students, with a cost of living index of 71/100 and a safety index of 85/100. Rents stay reasonable outside the center, where a one-bedroom runs $1,036/mo, though the $3,770/mo city-center three-bedroom is a rude shock for a town of 94 thousand. The catch is the climate: cool summers, cold winters, and constant rain mean you will buy waterproofs and learn to live with gray skies. Come for the low costs and strong English proficiency, not for sunshine or a big expat crowd.
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.
$960/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Edam
Edam is a tiny, safe, walkable town of 11 thousand where a single adult can live comfortably for $3,444/mo, and the $34/mo transport pass plus 210 Mbps internet make it easy to skip a car. The catch is that the expat community is small, so you are trading big-city social life for a quiet Old Town and a 22 km hop to AMS. Rent is the real test: $2,243/mo for a one-bedroom in the center is steep for a town this size, though $1,682/mo outside the center is more reasonable. Come for the safety, air quality, and English-friendly daily life, not for nightlife or a ready-made friend group.
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.
$265/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Leeuwarden | Edam |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1371.68 | $2242.85 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1035.76 | $1682.14 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $3769.78 | $2803.56 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1586.29 | $2242.85 |
| Safety Index | 65.75 | 90 |
| Internet Speed | 100Mbps | 210Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Leeuwarden | Edam |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,061/mo | $2,735/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,025/mo | $1,053/mo |
| Rent | $1,036/mo | $1,682/mo |
| Groceries | $236/mo | $250/mo |
| Dining out | $224/mo | $224/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $115/mo | $153/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $321/mo | $392/mo |
| Transport | $129/mo | $34.00/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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Leeuwarden vs Edam -- Frequently Asked Questions
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