Homes for sale in Drenthe
View the current supply of homes for sale in Drenthe, from starter apartments to detached farmhouses. Compare prices, neighbourhoods and resident reviews.
Buying a house in Drenthe: what will it cost in 2026?
Drenthe is a province where you still get real value for your money. The average purchase price over the past year was €462,466, with a range from €100,000 to €3,500,000. That is significantly lower than in the Randstad, while you get an average of 157 m² of living space. The average WOZ value in the province is €294,828, indicating that market prices have risen considerably in recent years compared to appraisal values. Of the more than 227,000 homes in Drenthe, 66% are owner-occupied and 34% are rental properties. The owner-occupied market clearly dominates here.
Economically, Drenthe relies on sectors such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and agriculture. Major employers are mainly found around Emmen (including Teijin Aramid and Scheper Hospital), Assen (provincial government, GGZ Drenthe) and Hoogeveen (various industrial estates). Accessibility via the A28 and A37 is reasonable, although from the eastern municipalities it takes a while to reach the Randstad. Train stations in Assen, Meppel, Hoogeveen and Emmen provide connections to the national rail network, but the frequency is lower than in the west. That is something to consider if you need to commute daily.
From Emmen to Meppel: where to buy what in Drenthe?
Drenthe has twelve municipalities that differ considerably in character, price level and type of housing supply. Below is an honest overview of the most important areas for buyers.
Emmen: the largest municipality with the widest range
With over 109,000 inhabitants, Emmen is by far the largest municipality in Drenthe. You will find everything here: terraced houses from the 1970s, new-build neighbourhoods, apartments in the centre and detached houses in the outlying villages such as Klazienaveen and Schoonebeek. Prices here are generally below the provincial average, making Emmen interesting for first-time buyers and families looking for space. Residents give Emmen an 8.1 on Buurtje.nl. The proximity of Wildlands Adventure Zoo and the centre with shops and restaurants is appreciated, although some residents note that certain neighbourhoods could use a bit more attention.
Meppel: compact, cosy and well-connected
Meppel is much smaller with 35,810 inhabitants, but scores remarkably high with residents: an average of 8.6. That makes it the best-rated municipality in Drenthe. The historic city centre, the good train connection to Zwolle and the Randstad, and the compact character mainly attract young families and home-movers. As a result, a home in Meppel is somewhat more expensive than in the eastern municipalities. Residents mention the cosy centre and the location on the water as major plus points.
Assen: the provincial capital with urban amenities
Assen is the capital of Drenthe and offers the most urban character of the province. You will find a theatre, cinema, hospital and a varied range of shops here. The housing market ranges from apartments in the centre to spacious single-family homes in neighbourhoods such as Marsdijk and Kloosterveen. The resident score is 7.7. One resident wrote: "Assen has everything you need, without the hustle and bustle of a big city." The intercity station makes commuting to Groningen and Zwolle easy. Buying an apartment in Drenthe is easiest in Assen, where the supply is largest.
Hoogeveen: affordable living with good amenities
Hoogeveen (56,591 inhabitants) is a down-to-earth, hard-working municipality with a score of 7.6 from residents. Purchase prices are relatively affordable, making the municipality popular with first-time buyers and young families. There is a train station with connections to Zwolle and Emmen, and the A28 is a short distance away. Amenities are complete with schools, sports clubs and a hospital. Hoogeveen is not a trendy city, but it certainly offers good value for money.
In addition to these four large municipalities, there are several smaller municipalities that are interesting for specific target groups. Tynaarlo (score: 7.7) lies directly south of Groningen and is popular with commuters who work in the city but want to live in the countryside. Villages such as Eelde and Zuidlaren are popular here, but prices are above the Drenthe average. Midden-Drenthe (score: 7.5) with places like Beilen and Westerbork offers a quiet alternative at moderate prices, in the middle of the Drenthe landscape.
In the east of the province you will find Coevorden (score: 7.0) and Borger-Odoorn (score: 7.0). Here purchase prices are the lowest in the province, but amenities and accessibility are more limited. For those who value peace and space above all else, that can work fine. Noordenveld (score: 7.2) with Roden as its main town is close to Groningen and attracts buyers who want to live just outside the city.
In the south and west lie De Wolden and Westerveld, two rural municipalities with many detached houses and farmhouses. Here you buy space, but you are also dependent on the car. Finally, Aa en Hunze (score: 7.6) with villages such as Gieten and Annen is a quiet municipality that scores well on liveability. View the provincial overview page of Drenthe for all resident reviews and scores per municipality.
What should you look out for when buying a home in Drenthe?
Buying a home in Drenthe requires different considerations than in the Randstad. The market is less overheated, but in popular municipalities such as Meppel and Tynaarlo you still have to take into account overbidding. In the eastern and northern municipalities you have more room for negotiation. First-time buyers will find the most affordable options in Hoogeveen, Emmen and Coevorden. Families looking for a single-family home with a garden will be well served in almost every Drenthe municipality. Home-movers looking for a detached house or farmhouse will find the largest supply in De Wolden, Westerveld and Aa en Hunze.
Take into account additional costs: 2% transfer tax (or exemption for first-time buyers up to €510,000), notary costs, appraisal costs and possibly a structural survey. The latter is especially relevant in Drenthe, as there are relatively many older homes where you want to have the condition of the roof, foundation and any asbestos properly checked. Is buying not feasible yet? Then also check the supply of rental properties in Drenthe as an alternative. The website of the province of Drenthe also provides information on regional housing visions and starter loans that some municipalities offer.
Searching and comparing owner-occupied homes in Drenthe
At the top of this page you will find the current supply of owner-occupied homes in Drenthe, including filters on price, surface area and municipality. What makes Buurtje.nl different is that you can view the neighbourhood scores and resident reviews for each home. This way you not only know what a house costs, but also what it is really like to live there according to the people who already live there. With 146 reviews and an average score of 7.8 for the entire province, you have a solid basis for comparing municipalities and neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
What does a home cost in Drenthe?
The average purchase price in Drenthe over the past year was €462,466 with an average living area of 157 m². Prices range from around €100,000 for a simple apartment to €3,500,000 for the most expensive homes. In municipalities such as Coevorden and Borger-Odoorn you pay less than average, while Tynaarlo and Meppel are more expensive.
Which municipality in Drenthe scores best among residents?
Meppel scores highest with an 8.6 from residents, followed by Emmen with an 8.1. Assen and Tynaarlo both score 7.7. In total, there are 146 resident reviews for the province of Drenthe, with an average score of 7.8 out of 10.
Is Drenthe a good province to buy a home?
Drenthe offers relatively more living space for your money compared to the Randstad. The average purchase price is significantly lower and you get more square metres for it. Disadvantages are the more limited employment opportunities and lower public transport frequency. For those who work from home or do not need to travel to the west daily, buying in Drenthe is a strong option.
What is the average WOZ value in Drenthe?
The average WOZ value in Drenthe is €294,828. That is lower than the average selling price of €462,466, indicating that market prices have risen faster than valuation values. The WOZ value determines your owner-occupied home tax and municipal taxes.
Where in Drenthe can I buy a home cheapest?
The lowest purchase prices are found in the eastern municipalities of Coevorden, Borger-Odoorn and parts of Emmen. Here, homes are available from around €100,000 to €200,000 for terraced houses and apartments. Keep in mind that amenities and public transport are more limited here.
Do I need to overbid if I want to buy a home in Drenthe?
That depends heavily on the municipality and type of home. In popular places like Meppel, Assen and Tynaarlo, overbidding on sought-after homes is common. In the eastern and rural municipalities, there is more room for negotiation and you can sometimes even buy below the asking price.
What about accessibility in Drenthe?
Drenthe is easily accessible by car via the A28 (north-south) and A37 (east-west). Train stations in Assen, Meppel, Hoogeveen and Emmen provide connections to the national rail network. Travel time to Zwolle is about 30-50 minutes by train, to the Randstad you can expect one and a half to two hours. Train frequency is lower than in the west of the country.
What are the additional costs when buying a home in Drenthe?
In addition to the purchase price, you pay 2% transfer tax (first-time buyers under 35 are exempt up to €510,000), notary costs for the deed of transfer and mortgage deed (together around €1,500-€2,500), valuation costs (€400-€700) and possibly a structural survey (€300-€500). That survey is recommended for older Drenthe homes.
I was born and raised in marsdijk assen. I have lived in this nice neighbourhood for 14 years, which is also because I am 14 years old. I enjoy living here. I generally feel quite safe, except when you go to the anne frank park after 8pm. the atmosphere there is usually grim. it is a very cosy neighbourhood, I definitely recommend people to live here. especially if they have a pretty daughter my age.
Auto-translated to English by AIOn the row where I live, there is a cosy side of the street; every summer we sit outside together.
Auto-translated to English by AIPositive but the neighbourhood around the street where we live is deteriorating. Lower social class rental homes, many foreign people and drug dealing in the area, also known to the police. Furthermore, many facilities in the area, shops, schools, a GP practice and a community centre.
Auto-translated to English by AINeat, quiet neighbourhood with lots of greenery
Auto-translated to English by AIThere's nothing to do. Everything is super expensive in the shops. There's a doctor, pharmacy and bakery. But there's nothing for teenagers to do. Only the spot (cafe), football field, cafe. No activities or workshops for 18 years and older. The street is well lit but behind our house there's an alley and you can't see anything at all. There are a lot of drunk people. There are no neighbourhood parties. Neighbours make a lot of noise at 3am.
Auto-translated to English by AIWonderfully enjoyable place to live
Auto-translated to English by AIGood neighbours, mostly young people with children, also 2 schools, small neighbourhood shop, easily accessible doctor's practice and pharmacy. This is Zwartemeer where I and my husband live. I also live conveniently close to work within walking distance of the clients.
Auto-translated to English by AIAlley not lit by street lamps. Responsibility lies with the housing association. I have a broken little toe from protruding sleepers of a garden in the alley. Ventilation system doesn't work. Draft, mould, water under crawl space. There was also a visit from a company regarding energy level. C was personal, will become B for business. The housing association in question is difficult to communicate with, in my experience. Same with the pavements in the alley and the drain I called the relevant department about, but still need to report it. The neighbourhood. I've only just moved here and what strikes me is that there are no rubbish bins where you can, for example, dispose of your dog's waste. I also see that people dump waste in the private woodland areas where you're allowed to walk, including the poop bags. And then the pavements. Dangerous! And in the neighbourhood itself, people drive too fast. I don't get too worked up about it, but I actually find it quite annoying. The greenery, walking paths, private woods where you can walk are beautiful. With diversity of flora and fauna. But again, I see stepped-on mushrooms, plastic, cans, bottles, and much more. I take with me what I can take. But actually, there should be a bin at the beginning of the path, which is on municipal land. I notice little of the community. I'm quite a loner. When I walk the dog, people are friendly. It has become a reasonably mixed village.
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