24,540 homes for sale in Zuid-Holland

Buying a house in South Holland: what does it cost and what can you expect in 2026?

South Holland is the most densely populated province in the Netherlands, with nearly 3.85 million residents spread across cities such as Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden and Delft. That popularity comes at a price: the average purchase price over the past year was €467,809, with a range from around €100,000 for a starter apartment to over €7 million for the most expensive villas. The average WOZ value of €359,204 gives a more realistic picture of what the average home here is worth. Of the total housing stock, 52% is owner-occupied and 48% is rented, which means there are relatively many rental properties compared to other provinces. This is largely due to the big cities, where housing associations and investors own a significant portion of the stock.

The economic engine of South Holland is running at full speed. The port of Rotterdam, the government apparatus in The Hague, Leiden University, the horticulture sector in Westland and the tech companies around Delft provide a broad labour supply. The average income of €38,441 is slightly below the national average, partly due to the large urban population with more starters and single-person households. Accessibility is excellent: intercity trains to Amsterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven, the HSL to Brussels and Paris, and a dense network of motorways. This makes buying a home in South Holland attractive for commuters, but also drives up prices in well-connected municipalities.

From Rotterdam lofts to Dordrecht townhouses: the purchase market per municipality

South Holland is not a one-size-fits-all. Prices, housing supply and atmosphere vary enormously per municipality. Below is an honest overview of the most important places to look for a home to buy.

Rotterdam: raw, diverse and constantly developing

With over 670,000 residents, Rotterdam is the largest city in the province and a magnet for starters and young professionals. The supply consists mainly of apartments, from renovated warehouses in Katendrecht to new-build on Kop van Zuid. Residents give Rotterdam a 7.2 on Buurtje.nl, based on 264 reviews. That is not the highest score, and that is fair: some neighbourhoods suffer from noise pollution or a weaker sense of safety. But many residents are enthusiastic about the cultural diversity and vibrant city life. One reviewer wrote: "You never get bored here, there is always something to do." In terms of price, Rotterdam is still more affordable than The Hague or Leiden, but popular neighbourhoods like Kralingen and Oude Noorden have risen sharply in price.

Buying a home in The Hague: court city with contrasts

The Hague combines the beach of Scheveningen with the stateliness of Noordeinde and the multicultural energy of Schilderswijk. The city has around 566,000 residents and scores a 7.4 from 205 reviews. Here you will find everything: townhouses in Benoordenhout for movers with a generous budget, affordable porch flats in Laak, and modern new-build apartments in Binckhorst. The Hague is relatively expensive due to the international organisations and embassies that attract many expats. Buying an apartment in South Holland here is often above the average provincial price, especially in sought-after neighbourhoods around Statenkwartier and Archipel.

Dordrecht: historic character, surprisingly affordable

Dordrecht is one of the best-rated municipalities in the province, with a 7.9 from residents based on 44 reviews. The oldest city in Holland has a beautiful historic centre with canal houses, but also spacious family homes in neighbourhoods like Sterrenburg and Dubbeldam. Prices here are noticeably below the provincial average, making Dordrecht interesting for families who want more square metres without the Randstad premium. The station offers direct connections to Rotterdam (15 minutes) and Breda, so commuting is easy.

Homes for sale in Leiden: student city with a hefty price tag

Leiden is compact, lively and expensive. The university city with 130,000 residents scores a 7.5 from residents. The historic centre with its canals and courtyards is popular, but supply is limited and competition is fierce. Starters with a smaller budget often move to surrounding towns. Those who buy here pay for the atmosphere, amenities and direct train connections to both Amsterdam and The Hague.

Outside the big cities, there are plenty of alternatives. Zoetermeer (7.4 from residents) is a typical growth centre with many single-family homes from the 1970s and 1980s, popular with families who want affordable living near The Hague. Delft attracts many knowledge workers with TU Delft, but the cramped city centre makes it difficult to find something affordable; residents give the city a 7.3. The municipality of Westland scores a strong 7.8 and offers a more village-like character with relatively spacious plots, close to the beach and greenhouse horticulture. Alphen aan den Rijn (7.7) is strategically located between Leiden and Gouda and is a quieter option for movers.

For those who really want space and peace: the Hoeksche Waard scores a 7.8 from 32 reviews and offers a rural alternative with polders, dikes and village centres, while you can still be in Rotterdam quickly via the Haringvlietbrug and the A29. Nissewaard (with Spijkenisse as its core) is affordable and scores a 7.4, although residents report that some amenities lag behind. Schiedam and Leidschendam-Voorburg are interesting intermediate options: Schiedam benefits from its proximity to Rotterdam with lower prices, while Leidschendam-Voorburg offers a green, quiet location close to The Hague. Check the provincial overview page for all resident reviews and neighbourhood scores per municipality.

Tips for buying a home in South Holland

The purchase market in South Holland is competitive, especially in the Randstad municipalities. Overbidding is more the rule than the exception in popular neighbourhoods of Rotterdam, The Hague and Leiden. Keep this in mind in your financial planning. In addition to the purchase price, as a buyer you pay transfer tax (2% for owner-occupation, 10.4% for investors), notary costs, valuation costs and possibly advice and brokerage costs for your mortgage. For starters up to 35 years old, there is an exemption from transfer tax up to a certain property value, which is relevant in South Holland with an average purchase price of nearly €468,000, because you quickly reach the limit.

For families looking for more space at a lower price, it pays to look outside the big cities. Municipalities like Dordrecht, Hoeksche Waard and Nissewaard offer more living space for your money, with an average living area of 109 m² provincially. Starters who find the purchase market too expensive can also look at rental properties in South Holland as an intermediate step. The province has a large rental segment with 48% rental properties, although waiting times for social housing in the big cities are long. Also check the website of the province of South Holland for information about construction plans and housing programmes in your search area.

Searching for a home to buy in South Holland using neighbourhood scores and reviews

At the top of this page you will find the current supply of homes for sale in South Holland, including filters on price, area and municipality. What makes Buurtje.nl different is that you can see per neighbourhood how residents rate their environment: from safety and parking to amenities and greenery. With more than 1,220 reviews and an average provincial score of 7.5, you get an honest picture of what living there is really like, not just how the estate agent describes it.