Rental homes in Noord-Holland
Find a rental home in North Holland and compare municipalities on price, atmosphere and resident reviews. From Amsterdam to Alkmaar: find the neighbourhood that suits you.
What does renting cost in North Holland and how does the market work?
North Holland is a province of extremes. On one hand you have Amsterdam, where rental prices are among the highest in the country. On the other hand, places like Hoorn and Dijk en Waard still offer relatively affordable options. The ratio of renting to buying in this province is exactly fifty-fifty: 50% of the housing stock is rental, 50% owner-occupied. Of those rental homes, 31% are owned by housing associations and 18% by other landlords. In the private sector, the average rental price is €2,540 per month, but that figure is significantly inflated by the Amsterdam supply. The range runs from around €300 to over €16,500 per month, so there is something for every budget, although you have to look outside the major cities if you want to rent affordably. The average disposable income in North Holland is around €41,666, which means that a private-sector home is simply not feasible for many households without dual earners or an above-average salary.
Renting in North Holland also means making choices. Do you want the hustle and bustle of the Randstad, or are you looking for peace and quiet on the coast or in the Gooi region? The province has over 1.3 million homes and nearly 3 million inhabitants, spread across very diverse areas. From the busyness around Schiphol to the polders of Waterland and the dunes near Velsen: the landscape and atmosphere vary enormously by region. This makes searching for a rental home here both challenging and interesting.
From the canals to the polder: renting by municipality in North Holland
The municipalities in North Holland differ greatly in character, price and living experience. Residents give the province an average of 7.5 based on 877 reviews. Below is an overview of the main places to rent a home in North Holland.
Amsterdam: the beating heart with a hefty price tag
The capital attracts thousands of new tenants every year, from students and starters to expats and young professionals. With 931,298 inhabitants, it is by far the largest municipality in the province. Residents rate Amsterdam a 7.4 based on 251 reviews. What often comes up: the cultural offering and accessibility are excellent, but rental prices are high and competition in the housing market is fierce. One resident wrote: "You pay a lot, but you get a city in return that never stands still." Renting an apartment in Amsterdam is therefore mainly reserved for those with a good income or who are willing to live smaller. Waiting times for social housing can exceed ten years.
Haarlem: historic centre, slightly quieter
Haarlem is the second largest city in North Holland with 167,636 inhabitants and scores a 7.3 among residents. The city offers a beautiful historic centre, good shops and restaurants, and is a quarter of an hour by train from Amsterdam. Rental prices are slightly lower than in the capital, but certainly not cheap. Haarlem is popular with families and couples who want to combine the Randstad with a slightly smaller-scale city life. The proximity to the beach at Bloemendaal is an added bonus.
Amstelveen: highly rated by residents
With a score of 8.0 from 57 reviews, Amstelveen is the best-rated municipality in this overview. The city (95,014 inhabitants) is known for its green character, good schools and international community. Many expats working at companies around Schiphol or the Zuidas choose Amstelveen. The downside: private-sector rental prices are steep, comparable to Amsterdam-Zuid. But residents consistently mention the peace, amenities and greenery as major plus points.
Zaanstad: more affordable alternative close to Amsterdam
Anyone considering renting a home in North Holland but finding Amsterdam too expensive will quickly end up in Zaanstad. With 161,389 inhabitants and a score of 7.2, it is not a top scorer, but the municipality does offer a lot more square metres for your money. Zaandam has invested heavily in the station area and city centre in recent years. The connection to Amsterdam Central is fast (10 minutes by train), making it a logical choice for commuters.
Outside these four major municipalities, there are plenty of other interesting options. Haarlemmermeer (score: 7.6) is ideal for those who want to live and work close to Schiphol, with Hoofddorp as the main centre. Purmerend scores a remarkably high 7.8 and has grown considerably in recent years, with new-build neighbourhoods that particularly attract young families. Alkmaar (7.5) offers a cosy city centre, the famous cheese market and a good level of amenities, and is significantly more affordable than the municipalities closer to Amsterdam.
In the Gooi region you will find Hilversum (7.6), the media city of the Netherlands, surrounded by forests and heathlands. Hilversum is popular with people who want to combine nature and culture, although rental prices here are also above average. Gooise Meren, with centres such as Bussum and Naarden, offers a similar atmosphere. In West Friesland, Hoorn (7.5) is a recommendation for those looking for a historic harbour town with its own character, further away from the Randstad bustle. And the municipality of Velsen, with IJmuiden and Santpoort, combines coast, nature and a direct connection to Haarlem and Amsterdam.
Who is a rental home in North Holland suitable for?
The rental market in North Holland serves a wide audience. Expats and international workers find a good supply with English-language services in Amstelveen and Haarlemmermeer. Starters and students often focus on Amsterdam, but need to be realistic about waiting times and prices. Families looking for space at a lower price move to Purmerend, Dijk en Waard or Alkmaar. Those who work in the north of the province, for example in horticulture around the Westland or the ports of IJmuiden, will find an excellent base in the smaller municipalities.
To be honest: the North Holland rental market is tight, especially in and around Amsterdam. Respond quickly, make sure your documents are in order and be flexible in your search area. Would you rather buy? Then also check the supply of homes for sale in North Holland. The average WOZ value is €461,003, so buying here also requires solid financing. More information about living and working in the province can be found on the website of the province of North Holland.
Search the current rental supply in North Holland
On Buurtje.nl you will find the current supply of rental homes in North Holland, supplemented with resident reviews and neighbourhood data. Filter by price, surface area or municipality and compare neighbourhoods based on real experiences. This way you not only see what is available, but also what it is really like to live somewhere. Whether you are considering renting an apartment in North Holland or looking for a more spacious rental home outside the city, Buurtje.nl helps you make an informed choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent for rental properties in North Holland?
The average rent in the free sector in North Holland is €2,540 per month. This is strongly influenced by the expensive Amsterdam supply. Outside Amsterdam, prices are often much lower, for example in Zaanstad, Purmerend or Alkmaar. The range runs from approximately €300 to €16,500 per month.
In which municipality in North Holland is it best to rent a house in terms of value for money?
Purmerend (score 7.8) and Amstelveen (score 8.0) are rated highest by residents. Purmerend offers relatively affordable new-build homes, while Amstelveen is more expensive but excels in greenery and amenities. For an affordable rental home, Zaanstad, Dijk en Waard and Alkmaar are interesting options.
How do I compare the different municipalities in North Holland to rent a home?
Pay attention to resident scores, rents, travel time to work and the level of amenities. Amsterdam scores 7.4, Haarlem 7.3 and Amstelveen 8.0. Smaller municipalities such as Hoorn (7.5) and Purmerend (7.8) offer more space for less money, but are further from the core of the Randstad.
Is it difficult to find a rental home in North Holland?
Yes, the rental market is tight, especially in and around Amsterdam. For social housing, waiting times in Amsterdam are more than ten years. In the free sector, competition is fierce. You increase your chances by responding quickly, broadening your search area to municipalities such as Zaanstad or Purmerend, and having your documents ready immediately.
Where is the best place to rent an apartment in North Holland as an expat?
Amstelveen and Haarlemmermeer are popular with expats due to their proximity to Schiphol, the Zuidas and international schools. Amstelveen scores 8.0 among residents. Amsterdam itself offers the largest supply, but prices are higher and competition is fierce.
How is accessibility if I consider renting in North Holland?
North Holland has an extensive public transport network. From Zaandam you are at Amsterdam Central in 10 minutes, from Haarlem in 15 minutes. Alkmaar and Hoorn are about 35-40 minutes by train from Amsterdam. The A4, A5, A7, A8 and A9 connect the main cities, although there are regular traffic jams around Amsterdam and Schiphol during rush hour.
What is the difference between renting in Amsterdam and in a smaller municipality in North Holland?
In Amsterdam you pay significantly more per square metre, but you have a huge cultural offering and excellent public transport. In municipalities such as Purmerend, Alkmaar or Hoorn you get more space for your money and a quieter living environment. The resident scores of these smaller municipalities are often higher than those of Amsterdam (7.4).
What percentage of homes in North Holland are rental?
Exactly 50% of the housing stock in North Holland consists of rental properties. Of these, 31% are owned by housing corporations and 18% by other landlords. The other half are owner-occupied homes. In total, this concerns over 1.39 million homes in the province.
After living here for 12 years, the neighbourhood is going downhill, especially the street next door where there are many rental homes, many people live who don't treat fellow residents very well. Lots of litter lying around, messy gardens and loud talking, shouting and antisocial fatbike drivers who honk unnecessarily. Also leaving rubbish behind and hoping it will eventually be collected by waste collection services. There are schools but not enough types of education.
Auto-translated to English by AIIJburg is a new district still under development and it's getting better with all the amenities and a beach nearby. And you're also quickly out of the city and into the greenery.
Auto-translated to English by AIQuiet, peaceful, relaxed, green, social and a nice mix of people
Auto-translated to English by AIGood neighbourhood, cosy people
Auto-translated to English by AII lived here for about 12 years. The neighbourhood has clear advantages: good connections by tram, bus and ferry/boat, plenty of supermarkets, gyms and practical amenities nearby. For me, however, there was one major drawback: structural low-frequency noise, demonstrably coming from commercial shipping on the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. If you are sensitive to that, it can be very burdensome. In my case, it was clearly noticeable indoors, especially at night. Neighbours said they slept with earplugs and extra insulation offered limited to no solution. The municipality took measurements at the time and acknowledged that the noise was significant, but indicated they could do little or nothing about it because the source fell outside their direct authority. My honest advice: visit this neighbourhood not only during the day, but also in the evening and at night, and pay specific attention to low-frequency humming or vibrations. For people sensitive to noise, I would personally strongly advise against this location.
Auto-translated to English by AIvery nice and beautiful neighbourhood.
Auto-translated to English by AII have never had any problems in the neighbourhood and hardly any nuisance.
Auto-translated to English by AIEnjoying, just fantastic to be able to live here.
Auto-translated to English by AI
