# Zurich vs Amsterdam: cost of living compared

> Amsterdam runs about 27% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,256 USD a month.

- **Source:** https://cost-of-life.com/compare/zurich-vs-amsterdam
- **Household priced:** one adult, one-bedroom in the centre, moderate lifestyle
- **Salary tested:** $100,000 gross per year

| Group | Metric | Zurich | Amsterdam |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cost | Total monthly cost | 4,693 USD | 3,436 USD |
| Cost | Cost index (New York = 100) | 74 | 54 |
| Cost | Housing | 2,600 USD | 2,100 USD |
| Cost | Utilities | 239 USD | 232 USD |
| Cost | Food | 903 USD | 581 USD |
| Cost | Transport | 166 USD | 127 USD |
| Cost | Healthcare | 441 USD | 173 USD |
| Cost | Lifestyle | 189 USD | 124 USD |
| Income & tax | Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr | 6,933 USD | 5,523 USD |
| Income & tax | Effective tax + social rate | 16.8% | 33.7% |
| Income & tax | Left over each month | 2,241 USD | 2,087 USD |
| Income & tax | Average local net salary | 6,800 USD | 3,500 USD |
| Housing | 1-bed rent, city centre | 2,600 USD | 2,100 USD |
| Housing | 3-bed rent, city centre | 4,600 USD | 3,800 USD |
| Housing | Buy price per m², centre | 18,000 USD | 9,500 USD |
| Quality of life | Safety | 92/100 | 76/100 |
| Quality of life | Healthcare | 94/100 | 86/100 |
| Quality of life | Air quality | 86/100 | 68/100 |
| Quality of life | Public transport | 98/100 | 88/100 |
| Quality of life | Walkability | 88/100 | 94/100 |
| Quality of life | English proficiency | 80/100 | 96/100 |
| Quality of life | Nightlife | 66/100 | 88/100 |
| Quality of life | Family friendliness | 88/100 | 80/100 |
| Quality of life | Median broadband | 190 Mbps | 180 Mbps |
| Climate | Average temperature | 10°C | 11°C |
| Climate | Summer high | 25°C | 22°C |
| Climate | Winter low | -1°C | 2°C |
| Climate | Sunshine hours per year | 1,660 h | 1,660 h |
| Climate | Annual rainfall | 1050 mm | 840 mm |
| Practicalities | Remote-work visa | No | No |
| Practicalities | Beach access | None nearby | 35 min |
| Practicalities | Currency | CHF | EUR |
| Practicalities | Time zone | Europe/Zurich | Europe/Amsterdam |

Figures are modelled estimates. Methodology: https://cost-of-life.com/methodology