Skip to content

Dubai vs Amsterdam

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

The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
View from the Metz & Co. Metz & Co. Department Store Rooftop Cafe of the Keizersgracht / Leidsestraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam
$3,440/month · Netherlands
Jorge Royan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Amsterdam monthly
$3,440
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+1%
Amsterdam relative to Dubai
Rent gap
$0
Amsterdam costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DubaiAmsterdam
  • Housing
    Housing: Dubai $2,100, Amsterdam $2,100. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Food
    Food: Dubai $620, Amsterdam $581. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Transport
    Transport: Dubai $92, Amsterdam $127. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Dubai $264, Amsterdam $236. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Dubai $44, Amsterdam $173. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Dubai $199, Amsterdam $124. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Other
    Other: Dubai $98, Amsterdam $99. 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

MetricDubaiAmsterdam
Cost
Total monthly cost3,417 USD✓3,440 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)54✓54
Housing2,100 USD2,100 USD
Utilities264 USD236 USD✓
Food620 USD581 USD✓
Transport92 USD✓127 USD
Healthcare44 USD✓173 USD
Lifestyle199 USD124 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD✓5,523 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%✓33.7%
Left over each month4,917 USD✓2,082 USD
Average local net salary3,800 USD✓3,500 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD2,100 USD
3-bed rent, city centre4,200 USD3,800 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre5,200 USD✓9,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety88/100✓76/100
Healthcare80/10086/100✓
Air quality48/10068/100✓
Public transport72/10088/100✓
Walkability55/10094/100✓
English proficiency88/10096/100✓
Nightlife86/10088/100✓
Family friendliness76/10080/100✓
Median broadband300 Mbps✓180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C11°C✓
Summer high41°C22°C✓
Winter low15°C✓2°C
Sunshine hours per year3,500 h✓1,660 h
Annual rainfall90 mm✓840 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access15 min✓35 min
CurrencyAEDEUR
Time zoneAsia/DubaiEurope/Amsterdam

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

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in DubaiCost of living in AmsterdamConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Dubai vs Abu DhabiDubai vs Tel AvivDubai vs Doha
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Dubai or Amsterdam cheaper?

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

What salary do you need in Amsterdam compared with Dubai?

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

Which has better quality of life, Dubai or Amsterdam?

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