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London vs Amsterdam

Amsterdam runs about 15% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 610 USD a month.

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
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
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Amsterdam monthly
$3,440
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-15%
Amsterdam relative to London
Rent gap
$500
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonAmsterdam
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Amsterdam $2,100. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Amsterdam $581. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Amsterdam $127. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Amsterdam $236. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Amsterdam $173. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Amsterdam $124. Cheaper in Amsterdam.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, Amsterdam $99. 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

MetricLondonAmsterdam
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD3,440 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6354✓
Housing2,600 USD2,100 USD✓
Utilities267 USD236 USD✓
Food617 USD581 USD✓
Transport282 USD127 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓173 USD
Lifestyle169 USD124 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD✓5,523 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.6%✓33.7%
Left over each month1,902 USD2,082 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓3,500 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD2,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD3,800 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD9,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10076/100✓
Healthcare84/10086/100✓
Air quality60/10068/100✓
Public transport92/100✓88/100
Walkability90/10094/100✓
English proficiency100/100✓96/100
Nightlife94/100✓88/100
Family friendliness72/10080/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C11°C✓
Summer high23°C22°C✓
Winter low3°C✓2°C
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h1,660 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm✓840 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access90 min35 min✓
CurrencyGBPEUR
Time zoneEurope/LondonEurope/Amsterdam

Amsterdam runs about 15% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 610 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Amsterdam cheaper?

Amsterdam runs about 15% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 610 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Amsterdam compared with London?

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

Which has better quality of life, London or Amsterdam?

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