Living in De Hofstad
De Hofstad is densely built and genuinely urban, and this is apartment territory: only about 1 in 9 homes is a house.
With 13,278 residents per km², you will know your streets are alive — and so will your ears; visit on a Friday evening before you commit.
Den Bosch pairs one of the most enjoyable historic centers in the south with prosperous, green suburbs. It's the Brabant market where charm carries a clear premium — homes within walking distance of the old town sell fast.
The housing market in De Hofstad
At €328,000 average WOZ value, De Hofstad ranks 70 out of 88 Den Bosch neighborhoods on price — 23% cheaper than most of the city, which makes it one of the more approachable entry points into the city. For scale: Den Bosch's cheapest buurt averages €253,000 and its priciest €1,145,000, so De Hofstad sits among the city's more affordable ones.
Average WOZ value per year (CBS). The reference date lags the current market by ±1 year.
2015: €166,000 · 2016: €171,000 · 2017: €182,000 · 2018: €196,000 · 2019: €222,000 · 2020: €237,000 · 2021: €256,000 · 2022: €276,000 · 2023: €320,000 · 2024: €317,000 · 2025: €328,000
The direction of the market: between 2015 and 2025 the average WOZ value here rose from €166,000 to €328,000, up 98% — roughly in step with the rest of the city. WOZ values lag the market by about a year, but the trend itself is reliable.
Here is the catch for buyers: only 26% of homes are owner-occupied, and 50% of the stock is social housing that never reaches the open market. Few homes come up for sale, so when one does, expect competition and act fast on viewings. The upside of the same number: neighborhoods with a big rental base tend to feel lively and transient rather than settled — decide which you want before you fall for a listing.
Who lives here
Demographically, De Hofstad is a young-adult neighborhood — the 25-to-45 group outnumbers everyone else (43% of its 1,125 residents), followed by 45-to-65 year olds at 23%. More than half of all households (60%) are single-person — this is a neighborhood of independents, not minivans. The average household counts 1.6 people.
As for who your neighbors would be: incomes lean modest — 54% of households are among the country's lower earners.
Daily errands, coffee and dinner
Day to day: the nearest large supermarket is about 11 minutes' walk; eating out is the default here — around 49 cafés and restaurants inside a kilometer.
The practical checklist most buyers forget to make: pharmacy 12 min walk · GP 5 min · hospital 3.7 km · library 0.9 km · 2 cinemas within 5 km. None of these will decide a purchase on their own, but a GP taking new patients nearby is the kind of thing you only miss after moving.
Families and schools
For families: the nearest primary school is 16 minutes on foot; daycare is 0.7 km away — check waiting lists early, they are long everywhere in the Netherlands; secondary school is a 7-minute bike ride, which Dutch teenagers do in all weather.
Getting around
Getting around: the station is a 7-minute cycle, standard Dutch commuting range; the nearest highway on-ramp is 2.4 km away; and at 0.5 cars per household, most residents simply don't own one — if you do, factor in permit costs and waiting lists before you buy.
Energy and running costs
Since 92% of the stock predates 2000, always check the energy label of a specific listing — the difference between label C and label F on an average home here is easily a few thousand euros a year in heating, and it changes what you can sensibly bid.
Before you bid in De Hofstad
Before you bid in De Hofstad: the national soil map leaves built-up areas unclassified, and city centres like this one often sit on peat, and pre-1970 homes may stand on wooden piles — since the 2026 appraisal rules, a foundation risk class (A–E) appears in every valuation, so check it before you bid, not after the deal is already emotional. Also, listings are scarce here, which pushes bidding above asking more often — decide your maximum before the viewing, not during it. Beyond that, the price gap with the rest of Den Bosch is real, but so is the reason for it — walk the neighborhood at different times of day before committing.
None of these averages can tell you whether the specific house you found is fairly priced — that depends on its size, energy label, state of maintenance and the recent sales around it. That is exactly what a free HomeReview report checks, in about 10 seconds, for any Dutch address.
Frequently asked questions
Is De Hofstad a good neighborhood to live in?
That depends on what you're looking for. De Hofstad suits first-time buyers and buyers after city buzz best; it's a weaker match for families with children and buyers after peace and space. The average home value is €328,000 (23% cheaper than most of Den Bosch) and the neighborhood has 1,125 residents. Ultimately the specific street and home matter more than the neighborhood average.
What is the average home value in De Hofstad?
The average home value (WOZ waarde) in De Hofstad, Den Bosch is €328,000, based on the official CBS neighborhood statistics.
Is De Hofstad mostly owner-occupied or rental?
26% of homes in De Hofstad are owner-occupied and 74% are rentals, of which 50% of all homes are social housing (woningcorporatie).
Are house prices in De Hofstad rising?
Between 2015 and 2025 the average WOZ value in De Hofstad rose from €166,000 to €328,000 (+98%); Den Bosch as a whole moved up 94% over the same period. WOZ values lag the current market by about a year.
How old are the homes in De Hofstad?
92% of homes in De Hofstad were built before 2000 and 8% after. Older buildings can mean higher maintenance and energy costs — check the energy label before bidding.
How far is the nearest train station from De Hofstad?
The average distance to a train station from De Hofstad is 1.8 km; a large supermarket is 0.9 km away on average.
Is De Hofstad an expensive part of Den Bosch?
No — homes here cost about 23% less than in most of Den Bosch, making it one of the more affordable parts of the city.
Is De Hofstad good for families with children?
The nearest primary school is 1.3 km away and there are 1 daycare locations within a kilometer. 15% of households here have children at home.
Is there foundation risk in De Hofstad?
De Hofstad stands out for foundation risk — in built-up areas the national soil map doesn't classify the ground, and city centres often sit on peat. Around 37% of homes here predate 1970, the era when wooden or shallow foundations were common. According to the Klimaateffectatlas, the risk of pile rot in this neighbourhood is very low. This says nothing about any individual property: only a physical foundation inspection can establish its condition. Ask for the foundation risk class (A–E) in the valuation report.
Similar neighborhoods in Den Bosch
Closest in price — worth a look if De Hofstad is out of reach or you want alternatives.
Source: CBS Kerncijfers wijken en buurten — latest complete release (buurt BU07960103) · Updated 2026-08-09. WOZ values are neighborhood averages; individual homes vary.