Zaanstad is a municipality in the North Holland region of the Netherlands. The city sits on the banks of the Zaan river, positioned in a low-lying landscape just one metre above sea level. It is a major urban centre within its province, with its identity and historical development closely tied to the waterways that shape this part of the country.
The housing market in Zaanstad is generally more affordable than the average for the Netherlands. The vast majority of the housing stock is concentrated in Zaandam, which holds far more of the city's homes than anywhere else, with prices sitting slightly below the city-wide average. The remaining residential areas are much smaller, with Wormerveer and Assendelft containing most of the remaining homes. The most expensive properties in the municipality are found in Westzaan, Assendelft, and Wormerveer, where prices are significantly higher than in the dominant hub of Zaandam.
