Cost of living in Rotterdam (Netherlands) is 7% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 333 prices entered by 58 different people.
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Food | + 11% | |||
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Food in Rotterdam (Netherlands) is 11% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rotterdam | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €15 (£13) | £11 | + 17% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €10 (£8) | £6 | + 41% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.40 (£4.70) | £3.77 | + 25% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.18 (£1.02) | £1.10 | - 7% | |
12 eggs, large | €4.06 (£3.53) | £3.44 | + 3% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.29 (£1.99) | £2.05 | - 3% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €5.95 (£5.17) | £3.39 | + 53% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.07 (£1.80) | £2.03 | - 11% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.36 (£1.18) | £0.87 | + 35% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.47 (£1.28) | £1.81 | - 29% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €7 (£5.98) | £8 | - 29% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €2.83 (£2.46) | £2.04 | + 20% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.09 (£0.95) | £0.91 | + 5% | |
Housing | - 3% | |||
Housing in Rotterdam (Netherlands) is about the same as in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rotterdam | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,543 (£1,341) | £1,574 | - 15% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,269 (£1,104) | £1,037 | + 6% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €190 (£165) | £272 | - 39% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,081 (£940) | £852 | + 10% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €899 (£781) | £725 | + 8% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €152 (£132) | £105 | + 26% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €31 (£27) | £27 | - 2% | |
40” flat screen tv | €423 (£368) | £347 | + 6% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €207 (£180) | £102 | + 77% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €7 (£6) | £7 | - 11% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €14 (£12) | £13 | - 5% | |
Clothes | + 15% | |||
Clothes in Rotterdam (Netherlands) is 15% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rotterdam | Birmingham | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €80 (£70) | £63 | + 10% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €34 (£30) | £28 | + 5% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €96 (£84) | £67 | + 25% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €120 (£104) | £62 | + 67% | |
Transportation | + 24% | |||
Transportation in Rotterdam (Netherlands) is 24% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rotterdam | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €31,508 (£27,391) | £24,000 | + 14% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.84 (£1.60) | £1.53 | + 4% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €93 (£81) | £64 | + 27% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | €24 (£21) | £12 | + 77% | |
Personal Care | - 22% | |||
Personal Care in Rotterdam (Netherlands) is 22% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rotterdam | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €3.64 (£3.16) | £7 | - 53% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €15 (£13) | £8 | + 74% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €34 (£29) | £100 | - 71% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €3.09 (£2.69) | £3.66 | - 27% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.69 (£2.34) | £1.98 | + 18% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.97 (£3.45) | £3.40 | + 2% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.79 (£1.55) | £1.99 | - 22% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €1.96 (£1.70) | £1.92 | - 11% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 (£21) | £13 | + 58% | |
Entertainment | - 11% | |||
Entertainment in Rotterdam (Netherlands) is 11% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Rotterdam | Birmingham | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €41 (£36) | £23 | + 58% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €20 (£17) | £18 | - 6% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €103 (£90) | £93 | - 3% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €56 (£48) | £49 | - 1% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €9 (£8) | £8 | - 6% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.16 (£2.75) | £3.15 | - 13% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.47 (£3.88) | £4.04 | - 4% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €482 (£419) | £444 | - 6% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.12 (£0.11) | £0.19 | - 43% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €31 (£27) | £31 | - 12% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €8 (£7) | £12 | - 47% | |
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TOTAL | + 7% |

These prices were last updated on May 29, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.869
GBP
/
EUR
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For example, you would need at least £5,325 (€6,126) in Rotterdam to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £5,000 in Birmingham.
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