What is the average price of a student room? (2025)

You’ve finally secured that coveted university spot, but now the real challenge begins: finding an affordable student room. With rising rent prices and a tight housing market, it seems nearly impossible to find a decent room without stretching your budget to the limit. In this blog, you’ll discover the average price of a student room, which cities offer the most affordable options, and how to find a room that fits your budget. Don’t overpay — read on and be prepared!
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Average rent for a student room in 2025

According to rent data, a student room costs on average €302.58 per month for 18 m² (€16.81 per m²), an increase of 6.9% compared to 2023, when the average price was €283.05. Compared to the previous quarter, this is a 3.6% increase.

 

What does a student room cost per city?

Rent prices vary significantly by city — in some cases up to four times higher. But which are actually the most and least expensive cities to rent a room, according to the latest market data?

Cities with high rent costs

If you want to live in Amsterdam, you’ll need a big budget. With an average price of €1,063.62 for 18 m², the capital is by far the most expensive. Other pricey cities include Enschede, Ede and Tilburg, where monthly costs for a small room can exceed €575. These high prices are often the result of limited housing availability and strong demand, especially among students.

Tip: curious about the cheapest cities near Amsterdam? Read this article.

City

Rent price per m²

Total rent for 18 m²

Amsterdam

€ 59,09

€ 1063,62

Enschede

€ 32,50

€ 585,00

Ede

€ 32,37

€ 582,66

Tilburg

€ 32,18

€ 579,24

Haarlem

€ 31,78

€ 572,04

Cities with high rental prices

Bron: kamer.nl

Cities with lower rent costs

Looking for a more affordable student room? Then Wageningen, Nijmegen or Leeuwarden are your best bets. In these cities, you’ll pay less than €540 per month for an 18 m² room on average. Wageningen takes the lead as the cheapest city, with an average price of €382.50. Not only are the rents more student-friendly, but the cost of living tends to be lower too — ideal if you want to save money without missing out on a vibrant student life.

City

Rent price per m²

Total rent for 18 m²

Wageningen

€ 21,25

€ 382,50

Nijmegen

€ 23,75

€ 427,50

Zwolle

€ 27,75

€ 499,50

Leiden

€ 28,18

€ 507,24

Leeuwarden

€ 29,67

€ 534,06

Cities with low rental prices

Bron: kamer.nl

 

What should you look out for when it comes to student room rent?

Be aware of the following when checking room prices:

  • All-in rent vs. base rent: all-in includes gas, water, electricity, and sometimes internet. Base rent doesn’t.
  • Maximum price (points system): rent must be fair according to the housing valuation system.
  • Service charges: ask for a breakdown — landlords can’t just charge random amounts.
  • Housing allowance: only available for self-contained units with private kitchen and toilet.
  • Rental contract: check for hidden costs, deposit terms, and cancellation notice.
     

 

How can you estimate or verify the rent of a student room?

You can check a room’s rent using the housing valuation system (WWS) from the Dutch Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie). Points are awarded based on:

  • size of the room
  • facilities (private kitchen, shower, toilet)
  • WOZ (property tax) value
  • quality of the surrounding area
  • energy label
     

You can use the Rent Tribunal’s rent check tool to calculate the maximum fair rent for free. If the actual rent is too high, you can request a rent reduction.

 

Find your student room with kamer.nl

Still have questions about student room prices? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Looking for an affordable student room? Find your next rental room today on kamer.nl — the largest rental platform in the Netherlands.