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Amsterdam vs Zurich

Amsterdam runs about 37% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,256 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
Zürich, Switzerland
Zurich
$4,693/month · Switzerland
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Amsterdam monthly
$3,436
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Zurich monthly
$4,693
Index 74 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+37%
Zurich relative to Amsterdam
Rent gap
$500
Zurich costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

AmsterdamZurich
  • Housing
    Housing: Amsterdam $2,100, Zurich $2,600. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Food
    Food: Amsterdam $581, Zurich $903. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Transport
    Transport: Amsterdam $127, Zurich $166. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Amsterdam $232, Zurich $239. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Amsterdam $173, Zurich $441. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Amsterdam $124, Zurich $189. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Other
    Other: Amsterdam $99, Zurich $155. 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

MetricAmsterdamZurich
Cost
Total monthly cost3,436 USD✓4,693 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)54✓74
Housing2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities232 USD✓239 USD
Food581 USD✓903 USD
Transport127 USD✓166 USD
Healthcare173 USD✓441 USD
Lifestyle124 USD✓189 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,523 USD6,933 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate33.7%16.8%✓
Left over each month2,087 USD2,241 USD✓
Average local net salary3,500 USD6,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,800 USD✓4,600 USD
Buy price per m², centre9,500 USD✓18,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/10092/100✓
Healthcare86/10094/100✓
Air quality68/10086/100✓
Public transport88/10098/100✓
Walkability94/100✓88/100
English proficiency96/100✓80/100
Nightlife88/100✓66/100
Family friendliness80/10088/100✓
Median broadband180 Mbps190 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature11°C10°C✓
Summer high22°C✓25°C
Winter low2°C✓-1°C
Sunshine hours per year1,660 h1,660 h
Annual rainfall840 mm✓1050 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access35 min✓None nearby
CurrencyEURCHF
Time zoneEurope/AmsterdamEurope/Zurich

Amsterdam runs about 37% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,256 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Amsterdam or Zurich cheaper?

Amsterdam runs about 37% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,256 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Zurich compared with Amsterdam?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,523 a month in Amsterdam and $6,933 in Zurich, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Amsterdam or Zurich?

Amsterdam scores 76/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Zurich scores 92 and 94. Amsterdam averages 11°C against 10°C in Zurich.