Netherlands · Visit or make it home

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a city in Netherlands. Compare its dated local facts and monthly climate before choosing a time to visit or planning a move. Housing references and national earnings describe different populations; verify the costs of your own home and job before deciding.

Rotterdam — A view of Rotterdam, taken from the roof of the Maassilo, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Get to know Rotterdam

A sense of the place

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands by population and the largest by area . It is in the province of South Holland, part of the North Sea mouth of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, via the New Meuse inland shipping channel, dug to connect to the Meuse at first and now to the Rhine. Rotterdam's history goes back to 1270, when a dam was constructed in the Rotte. In 1340, Rotterdam was granted city rights by William IV, Count of Holland. The Rotterdam–The Hague metropolitan area, with a population of approximately 2.7 million, is the 10th-largest in the European Union and the most populous in the country. A major logistic and economic centre, Rotterdam is Europe's largest seaport. In 2022, Rotterdam had a population of 655,468 and is home to over 180 different nationalities. Rotterdam is known for its university, riverside setting, lively cultural life, maritime heritage and modern architecture.

Weather through the year

When to visit Rotterdam

Temperature

August has the warmest monthly average (18.3°C); January is coolest (3.8°C). These averages include nights, so daytime highs can be considerably warmer.

Rain and outdoor plans

August averages about 87 mm of rain, compared with 38 mm in April. Rainfall alone does not identify a single best month; compare temperatures with the activities you plan.

Planning time outdoors

May, June, July, August, September, October combine monthly mean temperatures of 12–22°C with less than 100 mm of precipitation. These are useful dates to compare for a walking-focused visit; check daylight, opening times and the forecast for your actual trip.

January, February, December have monthly means below 5°C. For a stay then, compare accommodation heating and keep indoor options in your itinerary. These figures do not establish snow cover or ski conditions.

Monthly climate averages — 2001-2020
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average °C3.83.95.89.212.715.818.118.315.812.18.15.0
Rain, mm776655385662788770798185

Source: NASA POWER climatology · Reference period: 2001-2020. Long-term averages for the surrounding grid area. Conditions vary within a city; monthly averages are neither a forecast nor a guarantee of dry days.

Places around Rotterdam

Build your shortlist for a day out. Distances are straight-line from the city centre; check routes and opening times before setting off.

Average rent in Rotterdam

What is the average rent in Rotterdam?

A verified average rent for Rotterdam is not available in the evidence shown here. Do not substitute another city’s price or a national estimate. Compare current properties for the same home size and neighbourhood, then include utilities, deposits and daily transport when building a budget for a visit or move.

Average salary in Rotterdam

What is the average salary in Rotterdam?

6,402.1 USD/month is the gross employee-pay reference dated 2025. It describes Netherlands, not average salary in Rotterdam. Gross pay is before deductions; household earnings depend on the household model. Use a current offer and your own tax circumstances for take-home budgeting.

Source: ILO — Average gross monthly earnings of employees · Reference date: 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (ILO datasets published from 3 May 2023)

How should I compare Rotterdam with another city?

Compare the same dated measures for both cities, keeping local observations separate from national context. Start with rent, your expected income and the journeys you will make regularly. Then adjust the comparison weights to your priorities. Missing measurements do not prove an advantage; verify decisive costs and services with current local sources.

  1. Choose a comparison below and read its sources and dates.
  2. Set priorities for housing, work, transport and climate.
  3. Check current listings and your own income before making a decision.

Data sources, licences & reuse terms

Plan your stay

Budget and everyday decisions

A holiday budget

Compare accommodation for your actual dates in Rotterdam, then add the journey here, airport transfers, meals and the activities you want. A cheap room outside the centre can cost more overall if it adds daily transport.

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A relocation budget

Use the planner below to compare housing, daily spending and the cost of your move.

Include the deposit, utilities, internet and commuting. Compare those costs with your own expected take-home income.

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Your relocation planning budget

Build a monthly budget for Rotterdam in euros. Totals are calculated from the amounts below, not live quotes. Enter a housing amount for your chosen home.

Monthly total: Enter all five monthly amounts

First month including move: Enter your moving costs too

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Compare the details

Rotterdam at a glance

Netherlands: the wider context

These are country-level figures, not measurements of Rotterdam. Use them to compare national conditions; neighbourhoods, salaries and individual services can differ substantially.

See 11 national indicators

Other places to compare in Netherlands

What to check before deciding

Comparable figures are not available here for: Distance to nearest mountains (>1500 m); Annual sunshine hours; Seismic hazard (ordinal 0 very-low to 4 high); Distance to nearest sea / coastline; Monthly rent, 1-bedroom, city centre; Public-transport provision (ordinal proxy). Check the items that affect your plans with local providers. They are not treated as zero or as an advantage in recommendations.

Compare Rotterdam with other cities

Read the source dates, choose your priorities and keep unavailable values separate from costs you know.

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