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Amsterdam vs London

Amsterdam runs about 18% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 614 USD a month.

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
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Amsterdam monthly
$3,436
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+18%
London relative to Amsterdam
Rent gap
$500
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

AmsterdamLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Amsterdam $2,100, London $2,600. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Food
    Food: Amsterdam $581, London $617. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Transport
    Transport: Amsterdam $127, London $282. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Amsterdam $232, London $267. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Amsterdam $173, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Amsterdam $124, London $169. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Other
    Other: Amsterdam $99, London $107. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
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

MetricAmsterdamLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost3,436 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)54✓63
Housing2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities232 USD✓267 USD
Food581 USD✓617 USD
Transport127 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare173 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle124 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,523 USD5,953 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate33.7%28.6%✓
Left over each month2,087 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary3,500 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,800 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre9,500 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓66/100
Healthcare86/100✓84/100
Air quality68/100✓60/100
Public transport88/10092/100✓
Walkability94/100✓90/100
English proficiency96/100100/100✓
Nightlife88/10094/100✓
Family friendliness80/100✓72/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓12°C
Summer high22°C✓23°C
Winter low2°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,660 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall840 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access35 min✓90 min
CurrencyEURGBP
Time zoneEurope/AmsterdamEurope/London

Amsterdam runs about 18% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 614 USD a month.

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Cost of living in AmsterdamCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Amsterdam vs MunichAmsterdam vs DublinAmsterdam vs Copenhagen
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Amsterdam or London cheaper?

Amsterdam runs about 18% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 614 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Amsterdam?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,523 a month in Amsterdam and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Amsterdam or London?

Amsterdam scores 76/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Amsterdam averages 11°C against 12°C in London.