Published March 26, 2026
The latest Pararius Huurmonitor confirms what every house-hunter already feels: the Dutch free-sector rental market is under pressure. In Q4 2025, the average monthly rent in the Netherlands climbed to €1,838. In Amsterdam, that figure is significantly higher, with square meter prices hitting €28.68. A 9.1% jump in just one year. For many, the math is simple: to afford a standard apartment in the capital, you now need a gross monthly income of at least €5,515. This is one of the reasons why so-called B-Cities like Almere, Lelystad, and Tilburg are transitioning from alternative to primary targets. But does the lower rent actually compensate for the price of the commute? Let’s look at the hard data.
While Amsterdam remains the most expensive city in the Netherlands, the most aggressive price growth is actually happening outside the capital as demand spills over.
The Monthly Saving: For a 70m² apartment, you are looking at a base rent of €2,000+ in Amsterdam versus approximately €1,100 in a city like Lelystad. That’s a gross saving of €900 per month.
In 2026, NS (Dutch Railways) fares have outpaced standard inflation. If your employer doesn't offer a full travel allowance, this can be quite expensive. However, most employers offer at least a partial reimbursement of your commuting costs. On the other hand we have excluded fares for continued transport with bus or tram, that might be needed for the city you commute to. This is done for simplicity's sake.
The 2026 Traject Vrij Subscription Costs:
Combining the rental prices, commuting costs and estimated energy expenditure, the amount of money you can save by living in a B-city becomes very clear.
Option A: Amsterdam (Oud-West)
Option B: Almere (Centrum)
Option C: Tilburg (Reeshof)
Net Monthly Gain: By moving to Almere or Tilburg, a tenant saves between €660 and €755 per month. Over a year, that’s nearly €9,000 back in your pocket.
One of the more telling stats in the latest Pararius Huurmonitor other than the price is the supply-to-response ratio.
The Squeeze: Homes under €1,500 make up only 25% of the market but receive 40% of all applications.
The Opportunity: In Amsterdam, you might be competing with over 400 people for a single listing. In B-Cities, while still competitive, the average number of responses is significantly lower (averaging 31 nationwide), and properties stay online slightly longer, giving you a legitimate window to view the home.
Another often-ignored advantage of B-cities like Almere and Lelystad is the energy label. Newer builds in B-cities often carry better energy labels, protecting you from the energy prices that can plague some of the more historic Randstad apartments. Of course there are newly built homes in the bigger cities as well, but those rarely fall in the affordable category.
The B-city math is undeniable. You trade commute time for a significantly higher standard of living and a much higher probability of actually securing a roof over your head. If you can work from home for a few days per week, living in a B-city is extremely attractive. And even if you can’t, the time spent commuting might still be very much worth it.
Last week, Pararius released its latest quarterly figures on the private rental market. The Pararius Rental Report Q2 2025 reveals a stark reality: rental supply is falling sharply, demand continues to rise, and rental prices are climbing faster than ever. The gap between what home seekers can afford and current market rates continues to widen each quarter.
Pararius releases its Rental Report each quarter, offering insights into the trends within the Dutch private rental sector. The Q1 2025 edition highlights a further destabilisation of the rental market, driven by a sharp drop in available properties and steadily growing demand. These developments are pushing rents upward, especially in the more affordable housing segments.
Amsterdam is a hotspot for internationals, but its skyrocketing housing prices and increasing demand make it worth considering nearby alternatives. Whether you're looking for a strong international community, better family amenities, or more affordable living, several Dutch cities offer great options while keeping you close to the capital. In this article we discuss various alternatives and the difference in price range from Amsterdam.