The differences in housing costs between tenants and homeowners are significant. New figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) show that tenants in the private rental sector in particular spend a large share of their disposable income on housing. Homeowners have a lower housing-cost ratio on average, especially when they have lived in the same home for a longer period and have repaid a larger part of their mortgage.

Large difference between renting and buying

To determine how much households spend on housing, Statistics Netherlands looks at the so-called housing-cost ratio. This compares total housing costs with disposable income.

Homeowners spend on average approximately 16.3% of their income on housing. For households in social rental housing, this percentage is 24.6%. Tenants in the private sector spend on average around 30% of their disposable income on housing.

Especially in the private rental sector, monthly housing costs can therefore place a relatively heavy burden on the household budget.

Housing costs for homeowners can decrease over time

An important difference between buying and renting is how housing costs develop over the longer term.

With an owner-occupied home, part of the mortgage is repaid every month. With a mortgage that has a longer fixed-interest period, monthly mortgage payments can also remain reasonably predictable for a longer period.

According to the figures, homeowners who have lived in the same property for more than twenty years spend on average only 15.2% of their disposable income on housing.

For tenants, this works differently. Rents can be increased regularly, which means that housing costs may rise further over the years.

Buying still requires financial preparation

A lower housing-cost ratio for homeowners does not mean that buying is immediately cheaper or achievable for everyone. First-time buyers have to deal with high house prices, financing conditions and additional costs associated with purchasing a property.

In addition, maintenance, insurance and municipal charges may be the responsibility of the homeowner. It is therefore important not only to compare the mortgage payment with the current rent, but to look at the complete financial picture.

How does OZQUR Makelaardij view this?

At OZQUR Makelaardij, we notice that many tenants mainly compare their current rent with an expected mortgage payment. We believe this comparison should be broader.

When purchasing a property, we therefore look at the total monthly costs, the amount of personal funds available and the long-term financial situation. Buying can be attractive because you repay your own property and build up equity, but the monthly costs must remain responsible.

For tenants considering buying a home, we therefore recommend first getting a clear picture of their mortgage possibilities. This makes it clear which homes are genuinely within reach and what buying would mean in terms of monthly costs.

At OZQUR Makelaardij, we help you reach your dream home in 5 steps

01 — Getting acquainted & identifying your housing wishes
We start with you. We get to know you, build trust and clearly identify your housing wishes and most important criteria.

→ Understand first, then search.

02 — Determining your budget & possibilities
Together with the buying agent and financial advisor, we determine your mortgage possibilities, budget and ideal search range.

→ Know what is possible before we start searching.

03 — Viewing together
You focus on how the property feels. We take a critical look at the technical condition, location, possibilities and points of attention.

→ You decide whether it feels like home. We look at the rest.

04 — Determining the value & bidding smartly
We analyse comparable properties that have been sold, discuss the property with the selling agent and assess the expected appraisal value. We then determine the bidding strategy together and submit the offer.

→ Not just bidding, but making a well-founded offer.

05 — From accepted offer to the notary
Offer accepted? We then review the documents and purchase agreement, monitor all important deadlines and guide the entire process through to the notary.

→ We stay in control until you receive the keys.

Yucel Samanci
Buying and selling agent at OZQUR Makelaardij, specialised in purchasing strategy, negotiations and assisting Dutch, Turkish and expat clients.
(16 June 2026)