Homeowners in the Netherlands spend significantly less of their income on housing than renters do, and the gap is widest for people just entering the market, according to the latest report from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
In 2024, homeowners spent a median of 16.3% of their disposable income on housing, compared with 24.6% for tenants in social housing and 30% for private renters.
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All percentages have dipped slightly from 2023, but the gap between homeowners and renters remains wide.
CBS measures this using a ‘housing cost ratio’ (woonquote): total housing costs, such as rent or mortgage payments plus utilities, as a percentage of disposable income (net income plus benefits/allowances).
First-time renters have it worst
The greatest divide is between first-time movers and everyone else.
Households made up entirely of first-time renters in the private market have the highest housing-cost burden of any group measured: 35.1% of disposable income.
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That compares with 26.3% for first-time buyers and 27% for first-time renters in social housing.
Marginal differences in occupancy length
Differences tied to how long someone has lived in their home are smaller by comparison.
The highest reading is 31.0% for private renters who’ve lived in their home less than five years; the lowest is 15.2% for homeowners who’ve stayed in their home 20 years or more.
CBS explains that owners typically see mortgage costs remain the same or decline over time, while their income rises, whereas renters are subject to fluctuating rents.
As a renter or homeowner, how have you found navigating the Dutch housing market? Let us know in the comments.
