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Amsterdam vs Dubai

Amsterdam and Dubai cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

View from the Metz & Co. Metz & Co. Department Store Rooftop Cafe of the Keizersgracht / Leidsestraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam
$3,436/month · Netherlands
Jorge Royan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
Amsterdam monthly
$3,436
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-1%
Dubai relative to Amsterdam
Rent gap
$0
Dubai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

AmsterdamDubai
  • Housing
    Housing: Amsterdam $2,100, Dubai $2,100. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Food
    Food: Amsterdam $581, Dubai $620. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Transport
    Transport: Amsterdam $127, Dubai $92. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Amsterdam $232, Dubai $264. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Amsterdam $173, Dubai $44. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Amsterdam $124, Dubai $199. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Other
    Other: Amsterdam $99, Dubai $98. Cheaper in Dubai.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAmsterdamDubai
Cost
Total monthly cost3,436 USD3,417 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5454✓
Housing2,100 USD2,100 USD
Utilities232 USD✓264 USD
Food581 USD✓620 USD
Transport127 USD92 USD✓
Healthcare173 USD44 USD✓
Lifestyle124 USD✓199 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,523 USD8,333 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate33.7%0.0%✓
Left over each month2,087 USD4,917 USD✓
Average local net salary3,500 USD3,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD2,100 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,800 USD✓4,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre9,500 USD5,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety76/10088/100✓
Healthcare86/100✓80/100
Air quality68/100✓48/100
Public transport88/100✓72/100
Walkability94/100✓55/100
English proficiency96/100✓88/100
Nightlife88/100✓86/100
Family friendliness80/100✓76/100
Median broadband180 Mbps300 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓28°C
Summer high22°C✓41°C
Winter low2°C15°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,660 h3,500 h✓
Annual rainfall840 mm90 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access35 min15 min✓
CurrencyEURAED
Time zoneEurope/AmsterdamAsia/Dubai

Amsterdam and Dubai cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in AmsterdamCost of living in DubaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Amsterdam or Dubai cheaper?

Amsterdam and Dubai cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Dubai compared with Amsterdam?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,523 a month in Amsterdam and $8,333 in Dubai, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Amsterdam or Dubai?

Amsterdam scores 76/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Dubai scores 88 and 80. Amsterdam averages 11°C against 28°C in Dubai.