What is the cost of living in Amsterdam?


It would cost $2160 a month to live a decent life in a fantastic city like Amsterdam. For a family of four, it is $4960 per month. 

The cost of living in Amsterdam is significantly higher than in other cities in the Netherlands.

Compared to New York, the cost of living in Amsterdam is almost 40% less expensive. 

Amsterdam is, without a doubt, one of the most expensive cities to live in the world.

If you lived in the United States instead of Amsterdam, you would pay 25% less for food, 49% more for groceries, 35% less for transportation, and 3% less for accommodation. 

And if you lived in the UK instead of Amsterdam, you would pay 30% less for food, 20% less for transportation, and 28% less for accommodation.

Still, Amsterdam is among the top best cities in the world and ranks 30th for quality of life worldwide.

How expensive is accommodation in Amsterdam?

Rent in Amsterdam, in general, is expensive. One must set an accommodation budget of at least $1300 per month.

Accommodation expenses will likely be the biggest expense while living in Amsterdam.

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost you $1,575 per month and $1,080 outside of the center area.

Similarly, the price can range anywhere between $2000 and $5000 per month to live in a luxury apartment in Amsterdam.

On the other hand, a furnished studio in Amsterdam comes at approximately $1100. 

Needless to say, depending on your location and neighborhood, housing costs vary.

You should know that the rental price in Amsterdam tends to be absurdly higher than you expect due to the shortage of houses.

How expensive is food in Amsterdam?

It would be best if you allocated an average of $445 per month for food in Amsterdam. 

A typical fast food costs approximately $9, and for coffee lovers, coffee at a regular cafe costs around $3.5.

While groceries are affordable, dining out in Amsterdam can be costly.

A bottle of beer can be bought at around $5.50, but in some areas, they can charge you $9. Similarly, a mid-priced wine costs around $6. 

A liter of milk is priced at just $1.2, 1 dozen eggs at $3.2, and vegetables and fruits can be purchased as low as $3 per kg. 

You can expect to pay $60 for dinner in a restaurant for 2 people.

You can indulge in a basic meal at an inexpensive restaurant paying around $17.

How expensive is transportation in Amsterdam?

The estimated budget for transportation expenses in Amsterdam is $210 per person.

Public transport in Amsterdam is a great option and is reasonably priced. A monthly public transit pass costs around $100, and the basic tariff for a taxi trip per km is $2.45. 

You can speculate that the cost of 1 liter of gasoline in Amsterdam is around $2.25. 

Also, parking fees in Amsterdam are absurdly high. So think twice before you buy or rent a car in the city of the canals. 

If you want to buy a car, for instance, Toyota Corolla or an equivalent car, you must be ready to pay at least $28,000.

On average, the monthly cost of owning a car is about $455.