✦ Cost of living
Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
US = 100
In plain terms: Amsterdam is about 27% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,100/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing165+65%
- Food & groceries112+12%
- Transport95−5%
- Utilities122+22%
- Healthcare100−0%
- Goods & services116+16%
Is Amsterdam expensive?
Yes, moderately. Amsterdam indexes at 127 against a US average of 100 — roughly 27% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, Amsterdam ranks #6 by overall cost — 81 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Amsterdam costs
One person
$3,520/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$5,060/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$8,960/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,500 | $2,100 | $4,000 |
| Food & groceries | $520 | $750 | $1,250 |
| Transport | $570 | $840 | $1,410 |
| Utilities | $240 | $370 | $610 |
| Healthcare | $280 | $410 | $690 |
| Goods & services | $410 | $590 | $1,000 |
| Total per month | $3,520 | $5,060 | $8,960 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Amsterdam
Compact, bike-first and very English-friendly — a favourite expat landing pad, if you can win the tight housing lottery.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- Dutch
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 160 Mbps
- English
- Widely spoken
- Safety
- 68/100
- Climate
- ❄ 4°C · ☀ 18°C · 60 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- F · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Jordaan · De Pijp · Oost
About
“Venice of the North”
Compact, bike-first and very English-friendly — a favourite expat landing pad, if you can win the tight housing lottery.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- Dutch
- Coordinates
- 52.37, 4.90
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
49.5%
Income tax
progressive
21%
VAT / sales
25.8%
Corporate
$3,100
Avg net salary
per month
Visas & residency
Highly Skilled Migrant scheme; DAFT treaty route for US entrepreneurs.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Recognised sponsor + salary threshold.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
75/100
Safety
68/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
160 Mbps
Jan avg
+4 °C
Jul avg
+18 °C
Sunny days
60/yr
Walkability
90/100
Public transit
88/100
Family-friendly
70/100
Living there
- English spoken
- High
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 90
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Amsterdam without a car?
89/100
Car-free score
90/100
Walkability
88/100
Public transport
Yes — Amsterdam scores 89/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Amsterdam indexes at 95 against a US average of 100 — about 5% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Amsterdam ranks #4 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Amsterdam — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$2,100
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,500
- Inexpensive meal$20
- Monthly transit pass$100
- Utilities (monthly)$200
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam, NL expensive to live in?
Amsterdam, NL's cost-of-living index is 127 (US average = 100) — about 27% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #6 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,520 a month and a family of four around $8,960, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam, NL?
Amsterdam, NL's cost-of-living index is 127 (US average = 100) — about 27% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $2,100 per month.
What are the average living costs in Amsterdam, NL?
Living costs in Amsterdam, NL are about 27% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 127 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $2,100. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Amsterdam, NL?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $2,100 per month, and around $1,500 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Netherlands?
Netherlands has a top income-tax rate of 49.5% and a VAT or sales tax of 21%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Amsterdam, NL?
Amsterdam, NL averages around +4 °C in January and +18 °C in July, with roughly 60 sunny days a year.
Is Amsterdam, NL safe?
Amsterdam, NL scores 68 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Amsterdam, NL without a car?
Amsterdam, NL scores 89/100 on our car-free score — 90/100 for walkability and 88/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Amsterdam with…
★ Ranked in
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.