How do location costs affect the balance between renting and buying?

In the 2026 housing market, the old real estate law “location, location, location” is still alive and kicking, but its financial implementation has changed dramatically. We no longer just look at the asking price of a home, but at the total Cost of Living, which is inextricably linked to the zip code. In 2026, the choice between renting and buying is often not decided by mortgage rates, but by hidden location costs that tip the balance to one side or the other.

From parking permits in the Randstad to the impact of regional economic hubs such as Brainport Eindhoven; where you live determines how quickly you recoup your investment. In this article, we analyse how location-related factors influence the calculation between renting and buying in 2026.

The “Randstad premium” and the return on mobility

In major cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam), house prices stabilized at high levels in 2026. For a buyer, this means that the initial deposit is enormous, despite the start-up exemption of up to €555,000.

• Renting as a strategic move: In the Randstad, the ratio between rent and purchase price is often skewed. Because the purchase prices are so high, the direct return for investors is low, which (relatively speaking) sometimes makes rents more interesting for residents who want flexibility.
• Parking fees and taxes: In a city like Amsterdam, a parking permit for a resident with a private home can cost hundreds of euros per year, while some luxury rental complexes have included this in the service costs. Over a period of ten years, these “micro-costs” can partly negate the benefit of buying.

The rise of the “Regional Hubs”

Outside the Randstad, we will see an enormous shift in 2026. Cities such as Eindhoven, Groningen and Zwolle have grown into economic engines.

• Buying in growth regions: In these regions, the balance between renting and buying often favors buying. The underlying economic growth (for example by the tech sector) increases the chance of increasing the value of your home.
• Rent deficits: Because the new construction of rental properties in these regions still lags behind the influx of staff in 2026, rents there often rise faster than mortgage costs. As a result, the tipping point at which buying becomes cheaper is often reached after just three to four years.

Commuter costs: The invisible housing burden

A crucial mistake that many home seekers will make in 2026 is to decouple housing costs from travel costs.

The math: In 2026, you might be able to buy a beautiful spacious house in a village in Zeeland or Limburg for €400,000, while a similar house near your work in the city costs €550,000. However, if that cheaper location means you spend an extra €400 a month on fuel, car depreciation or expensive train subscriptions, the financial benefit of that lower mortgage disappears like snow in the sun.

Calculators in 2026 now include these “mobility costs” as standard. It often appears that renting in the city, near work, leaves more disposable income than buying remotely.

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Location impact comparison: City vs. countryside (2026)

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Cost item                                          Buying in the city                    Renting in the city                  Buying in the region

Monthly payment (net)             High                                        Average / High                       Low / Average

Travel costs                               Minimal                                   Minimal                                   High

OZB & municipal charges         High                                        N/A (indirect)                          Low

Value potential                           Stable                                      N/A                                         High (growth hub potential)

Flexibility                                    Low                                          Very high                               Medium

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The influence of local taxes and OZB

Not every municipality in the Netherlands is equally “friendly” to the homeowner. In 2026, we will see major differences in property tax (OZB) and sewer and waste taxes.

In some municipalities, the local charges for an owner have increased by 20% in recent years to fill budget deficits. As a tenant, you will notice less of this, because the landlord cannot always pass on these costs 1-on-1 in the regulated or mid-segment rent. When choosing a specific location, as a buyer, you should therefore also consider the “fiscal health” of the municipality.

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Climate risks and foundation label

In 2026, the location of your home will be directly linked to climate risk. This is a factor that can completely change the balance between renting and buying.

• The foundation clamp: In areas with peatland or indentation (such as parts of Gouda or Amsterdam), a buyer may be confronted with a foundation repair of €80,000. As a tenant at the same location, you do not bear this risk; it lies entirely with the landlord.
• Insurability: In certain risk areas, home insurance premiums rose sharply in 2026. These hidden location costs make buying in high-risk areas less attractive compared to renting.

The “Social infrastructure” as a return factor

Location is also about proximity to amenities. In 2026, we will see that homes near fast public transport connections or “15-minute city” concepts retain their value much better.

For a tenant, the proximity to a supermarket or gym is a luxury. For a buyer, it is part of the exit strategy. A poor location without amenities can “lock” you into your home because it's harder to sell, while a tenant simply cancels their contract if the neighborhood deteriorates.

The crux: Location determines your risk profile

In the 2026 housing market, location costs are the big equalizer. Buying is often financially superior in emerging regional hubs where travel costs are low and value potential is high. However, renting is gaining ground in expensive city centers and risk areas (foundation issues), where the costs of ownership and the risks of unforeseen expenses do not outweigh the net monthly payment.

So before you decide, look beyond the asking price or rent. Calculate the total cost of the place: from the OZB to the travel time to work. In 2026, it is not the home that decides whether you will be rich, but the land on which it stands.

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