Cost of Living in Amsterdam

Summary about cost of living in Amsterdam, Netherlands:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 15.00 € 10.00-25.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 70.00 € 50.00-125.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 10.00 € 8.75-12.00
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 5.00 € 3.60-7.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 4.50 € 4.00-6.00
Cappuccino (regular) 3.20 € 2.10-5.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 2.45 € 2.00-3.50
Water (12 oz small bottle) 2.22 € 2.00-3.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 4.27 € 3.63-6.06
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 1.45 € 0.73-2.72
Rice (white), (1 lb) 0.91 € 0.59-1.36
Eggs (regular) (12) 3.53 € 2.21-4.80
Local Cheese (1 lb) 5.70 € 3.52-13.61
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 4.43 € 2.72-6.80
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 7.93 € 5.44-13.61
Apples (1 lb) 1.00 € 0.84-1.36
Banana (1 lb) 0.75 € 0.59-1.13
Oranges (1 lb) 0.76 € 0.50-1.59
Tomato (1 lb) 1.30 € 0.68-1.91
Potato (1 lb) 0.68 € 0.39-1.36
Onion (1 lb) 0.49 € 0.40-0.91
Lettuce (1 head) 1.06 € 0.77-1.50
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.80 € 0.45-1.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 6.00 € 4.69-10.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.39 € 0.80-3.00
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 1.55 € 1.00-3.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 8.20 € 8.20-10.00
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 3.20 € 3.00-4.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 89.00 € 75.00-173.91
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 4.50 € 3.50-7.50
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 3.86 € 3.22-6.20
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 35.00 € 30.00-50.00
Gasoline (1 gallon) 7.50 € 6.55-8.71
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 26,349.50 € 25,000.00-30,000.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 29,543.00 € 27,190.00-32,950.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 225.15 € 160.00-450.00
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 0.07 € 0.05-0.08
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 43.24 € 35.00-60.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 37.10 € 20.00-60.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 19.65 € 10.00-35.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 13.00 € 11.00-17.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 1,581.93 € 1,075.00-2,300.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 11,058.10 € 7,000.00-24,460.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 69.78 € 45.00-120.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 28.09 € 20.00-50.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 83.88 € 65.00-120.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 104.60 € 79.00-200.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 1,607.50 € 1,345.00-2,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 1,431.80 € 1,000.00-1,900.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 2,735.66 € 1,800.00-3,500.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 2,042.88 € 1,500.00-2,800.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 748.79 € 641.03-1,068.38
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 495.59 € 407.84-650.32
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 3,504.25 €
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 2.87 2.00-4.70

Prices in Amsterdam

This city had 3640 entries in the past 12 months by 590 different contributors.
Last update: March 2023
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42 Comments so far
Anonymous on Jan 30, 2023:
I think some of these prices are very optimistic.
Anonymous on Sep 30, 2022:
Definitely more expensive than stated here. Finding a place to live is hell...
Johnny on Aug 28, 2022:
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre can't be 1,704 € like this page says
I've been looking for months and the average price I find is 2.000-2.500 €
Rents are just beyond absurd
Stan on Mar 19, 2022:
@Alehandro

Part timers are mostly in families/couples, with two 70-80% jobs up until 5 years ago or so, you could live very well in the city. That might still be the case for people who bought their place before 2015-17. Prices of property have skyrocketed since so if one is looking to start their life in Amsterdam (or in any other city and most of rural areas too) now with a part time job, it would have to be a very well paid job.
Alehandro on Feb 10, 2022:
Hi, I've read many articles about how much part-time positions are common in Netherlands and how that makes Dutch so happy with a great work life balance. But I'm not sure of buying it so I'm searching information.

Yeah, Amsterdam is the capital city, but rent are so high that I do not think anyone can SURVIVE on a part-time job, since rent will be higher than income. Are there really people that live on part-time jobs in Netherland and are they outside big cities? So many articles about students that sustain with part-tima positions, are them all misrepresentation?

I do not hide that a part-time lifestyle will suit me in order to enjoy life or to continue professional education and Netherland is the only Country with so many part-time jobs
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Anonymous on Apr 06, 2021:
Hey other Anonymous

I have no idea were you guys take your informations from.
You claim to be living in Amsterdam for all your life and sustain that expats cannot buy property in Amsterdam.
Can you share a link to the law you mention ? I find it improbable banks approving loans for home you cannot legally own, and notary offices legalizing this illegal sell. :)

I do own a property in Amsterdam and I can for sure let you know that you can easily buy one if you have the required capital.

All your comments seem to me just frustration that you're being priced out of your own city. It sucks I get it, but that life, please move on and do not spread misinformation.
Anonymous on Jan 18, 2021:
I totally agree look how badly Italy and Spain economies have been doing consistently. When both countries had their own currencies it was much more stable. Greece has also been held hostage by the euro.Too many instances of repeated failures using the euro.
Anonymous on Jan 14, 2021:
To anonymous post Jan 8 2021

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands obviously.Any investments anywhere within the eurozone wouldn't be wise especially since the UK separated itself from the eurozone trying to monopolize. FORTUNATELY Brexit is in full control and yes the pound is still alive and well.The euro has always had a very bad track record and the euro continues on a downward spiral against the USD.Currently the euro value is 81 cents against the dollar.Over the past 6 months the euro has been losing value against the USD. When any country in Europe signs on to be a member of the eurozone they're automatically locked into a set percentage rate monthly just for using the euro and once a member they are legally bound no matter how badly that countries economy is doing ITS A TRAP.The eurozone must recoup losses of currency value through taxation whether it be through payroll deductions or real-estate taxes.Just renting an apartment or house anywhere within the eurozone tenants are taxed monthly just as the owner of the rental property is taxed heavily. So everyone is taxed on everything and let's not forget VAT value added tax which is currently at 19% on anything purchased.
Is living in the EUROZONE a good idea? ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!
Hopefully this factual information helped your decision.
Anonymous on Jan 10, 2021:
BTW I've lived in Amsterdam all of my life. My father is a real-estate attorney for naturalized Amsterdam citizens.It clearly states in the Amsterdam constitution only native people from Amsterdam can own real-estate. It also says if a foreign person marrys an Amsterdam citizen only the Amsterdam citizen has full rights to the real-estate,that's the law.
Anonymous on Jan 10, 2021:
Actually foreigners cannot own property in Amsterdam. Hopefully you didn't get taken by someone scrupulous it happens often in Amsterdam.
Anonymous on Jan 09, 2021:
Hey other Anonymous,

Foreigners sure can buy a property in Amsterdam, not just rent. I just bought one and I'm moving there soon, and I'm not the only expat doing it. So I'm not sure where you're taking your information from?

And about moving from India to Amsterdam: it seems you earn quite a lot in India, but you didn't specify what kind of job you do. First step would be to look at linkedin/ indeed how many job postings for your position are there. Getting a job is a success, but it's good to be able to find a different one in case the one you found doesn't satisfy you.
Anonymous on Jan 08, 2021:
Guys,

I have been working in a US based multinational company from India.

Have 6 years of work experience and I am making close to €40k in India.

Willing to relocate to Amterdam. Do you think it would be a good move, considering the cost of living in EU.
Anonymous on Jan 08, 2021:
Hey AMSTERDAMMER please don't spread misinformation for this reason. Expats never make as much for salaries as Amsterdam citizens do which is way below 3k and against the Amsterdam constitution.It seems you like to read what you type.A luxury apartment or house rental isn't 1k to 1.5k. Fact is foreigners aren't even allowed to own real-estate in Amsterdam but foreigners can lease homes and business buildings.You must work for an imaginary corporation elsewhere but not in Amsterdam especially with the bogus salary you quoted.You can stop lieing anytime. Myself and my family have lived in Amsterdam since day one of our existence.It's people like you who distort pricing making it harder for others to actually know what costs are.
AMSTERDAMMER on Jan 05, 2021:
Hey Anonymous,
What do you mean Amsterdam doesn't pay that? It certainly does. I also work for a major Corp here in Amsterdam, I've lived here for over 10 years. Salary slides quite a ways, but many of my colleagues own houses, net salaries over 3k per month. Sure, not everyone loves like that. But it's attainable for skilled expats.

Costs if living per month can range from 1k - 1.5k, depending on how you live, how much you drink and how much you like to indulge.

The expensive part is living on your own. Costs have gone down because of a drop in demand for rental accommodation from expats, but generally living in your own apartment is 1300++
Anonymous on Dec 20, 2020:
QDB

Amsterdam doesn't pay what you claim so please don't give incorrect information I live here.
QdB on Nov 17, 2020:
I have been living in Amsterdam for 6 years, I am french.

I started my first job with 42.5k EUR a year (24 yo), which gives about 2.4k net. I was single, rent is about 800 euros a month in a shared flat (it is the jungle to find flats and frustrating but everyone ends up finding), As a single, going out and restaurant every weekend, you need 1000 euros to live, so you still manage to save 500-600 euros per month.

Income : 2400 eur
+30 ruling : 2900 eur (this lasts 5 years as an expat)
Rent: 850 eur
Living costs: 1000 eur incl bars and restaurants

Remaining per month : 1050 eur per month- (this is honestly what i was able to save)

Think that you won t have transportation costs (biking everywhere), going out is cheap in bars and clubs, resturants are pricey but cheaper than London and you have a lot of options. Indeed a pint is 5-7 eur, cheaper than Paris.

My advice: Amsterdam is well suited for professionals (not students, not interns) with a master degree working for big companies. I started there as an intern, it was fun but very tough (you change 6 times flat per year...).

Ok, it does not pay as much as Dubai or Switzerland pour better than France and UK and living here is beautiful, lots of fun, lots of diversity.
Steve Carlson on Jun 29, 2020:
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expat on May 17, 2020:
If you have secured a job and want to move to Ams now it's good time- I've never seen so many apartments available. It doesn't mean the prices are lower, maybe just a bit in some cases, but still you have a much better chance to find something than in the last couple of years.

The '1300' apartment withing ring is possible, but it's only the asking price you'll see in the apartment listing- it usually means you need to cover 'servicekosten' and bills yourself- count at least EUR250 per month.

Since most companies subsidize or pay fully for public transportation if you live further than 10km from work, many people opt for smaller towns around Amsterdam (but not Haarlem, as it's almost as expensive as Ams in the well connected neighborhoods).

In general, if you're at the beginning of your career and really want to live in Amsterdam, you'll need to be ok with sharing a flat (or perhaps having a small studio somewhere around Amsterdam and commute, but finding such a studio won't be easy). If you earn at least 3k EUR net, then you may be able to afford a studio or 1 bedroom place.
Anonymous on Apr 05, 2020:
Rent is crazy in Amsterdam. Better try to find something in nearby cities. ( although don't expect much savings ).
Taxes are high. i.e 276e for garbage collection for single household. I think this says enough. :)
Anonymous on Mar 09, 2020:
Wow, so many trolls posting below, like #ActuallyRealAmsterdam. ***Amsterdam is absurdly expensive.*** Someone said rent within the ring is about 1.300EUR? Maybe for a bedroom in a shared apartment, or if you rented an apartment for that price a decade ago, when such prices were realistic.

The city has been turned into a haven for corporations and foreigners. The Netherlands is a tax haven for companies that don't like to pay taxes, and foreigners get a lower tax rate if they go work there, or if they're illegal immigrants who used the keyword "refugee" when they beelined for the country.

But if you have an average, decent, hard working citizen you're screwed. You just can't afford the exorbitant rents and taxes. To top it off health care is pretty appalling and dental isn't covered, so many people end up having to go to Germany or eastern Europe to get proper care.

For a single person to live a half decent life in Amsterdam, they need to NET at the very least 3.500EUR.
Bobo on Jan 03, 2020:
In Western Europe you’ve to use the draught pint beer index instead of the Mac index: in Amsterdam. a pint is 7 euros
Anonymous on Sep 30, 2019:
Amsterdam is not cheap but having lived in seven other European cities it falls somewhere in the middle - by my own experience. Buying property is definitely preferred to renting, though, as rental prices are ridiculous in my humble opinion (similar to London), but mortgages are both cheap (low interest) and are tax deductible.

Amsterdam is a lovely, reasonably affordable place if you can stand the terrible weather.
Simon on Sep 02, 2019:
Its not just that the income tax is high but its also the VAT that you pay for all of the stuff you buy.
Add to that high energy, fuel and water expenses and also money for a mandatory health insurance, rising transportation costs and sum that up with criminally high rents and you get a picture of how life looks like there. The banks have a monopoly over the housing market while the government' policies favour investors over locals and working people
If you dont earn 3000-3200 net a month you will be struggling given the fact that renting a room in Amsterdam is 800-1000 EUR a month.
And all that misery while the corporates use the country as a black hole for taxes.
If you are thinking about moving there: better go to Germany. This country advertises itself as a leftist while in reality life is getting worse and worse there every year for the average Joe.
For example: students are now sleeping in tents as noob unis are not getting them accomodation while enrolling them.
And the Dutch are complacit in it as they don't complain and they somehow think that it is rhe best country in the world: lekker!
Anonymous on Aug 30, 2019:
All of Europe is expensive especially since the Euro isn't going to rebound.After reading many posts about cost of living and wages it's obvious the majority aren't playing with a full deck. Currency value is and always will be the deciding factor to everything, period no matter which currency it is.
MB on Aug 27, 2019:
Amsterdam is a very expensive city, yet liveable city.

case 1 - single person living by him/herself within the ring.
a) rent between 1300 / 1500 per month
b) utilities between 150/200 per month
c) transportation 100 per month (free if you go by bike, you can buy a good bike + locks for around 250 Euros)
d) eating out, 5 times in a month, 200 Euros
e) Health insurance - 115 per month (+ excess, you'll still pay anything at least up to 380 Euros). This is mandatory as system, unfortunately, is private
d)groceries for a month - 200+ Euros
TOTAL: 2200 Euros circa.

case 2- single person sharing a flat within the ring.
a) rent between 800 / 1000 per month
b) utilities between 50/100 per month
c) transportation 100 per month (free if you go by bike, you can buy a good bike + locks for around 250 Euros)
d) eating out, 5 times in a month, 200 Euros
e) Health insurance - 115 per month (+ excess, you'll still pay anything at least up to 380 Euros). This is mandatory as system, unfortunately, is private
d) groceries for a month - 200+ Euros
TOTAL: 1500 Euros circa.

all those numbers are from personal experience. I now own a flat, and I work outside of Amsterdam, which means i pay 150 euros a month in train (by car, it would cost me roughly 300 a month to go to work). I can tell you, to be COMFORTABLE without worries about money, you need to be earning 60K per year on the 30% ruling, 75K without the ruling. This is my opinion, coming from a person that lived here for 6 years now.
Anonymous on Aug 02, 2019:
You are getting majorly scammed on your rent if you pay +- 3000 per month for a single appartment.

Also Health Care is very affordable, if you add your dental plan you are highly covered for 180 per month in total (high estimate)

Clothes you can find everywhere and there are a lot of high quality online stores available.

#Anonymous on Mar 12, 2019 :
Hi,
To be honest I’m always surprised when reading about how much money people can save from 75k € gross annual salary in Amsterdam...
Maybe I have higher demands on a living standard as don’t have and don’t wanna children (I think this planet is overcrowded + I’m not a housewife type) and prefer to enjoy life and fancy vacation ....but from my experience, living in Amsterdam- 10 mins from Central station, renting 85sqm apartment as a single person and I spent more than 50% of salary on rental costs ...food and transportation is more expensive than in London ...
Health care super expensive ...the most expensive are dentists. Fashion & clothes are terrible for women- hard to find high quality and ellegant dresses for reasonable prices and the offer of female shoes is here just disaster - no style as many Dutch women go to work by bicycle so sorry for saying that but any even average woman from
Eastern Europe feels in Amsterdam like a miss of the world. Fortunately there is still an option to order clothes from Italian websites. Clothes for men are of a good quality. Whenever possible it’s much more cost effective to buy own property as rental costs especially if you want a good standard and don’t wanna a shared house or live in a suburb are crazy here in Amsterdam.
Jackeline Diaz on Jul 24, 2019:
Hi! Planning to visit next summer, are the prices above correct? trying figure out the average pricing and not sure if the price share are accurate or not.
Eastern Europe miss on Jul 22, 2019:
"..even average woman from
Eastern Europe feels in Amsterdam like a miss of the world."

HELLO?!

Do you even know how we look like 'no good shoes in Netherlands'ignorant person?
Camel on Jul 19, 2019:
---> sheilla, the unemployment level is very low about 3.7% that means a job can be found quite easy, just you have to well educated or very good working person...the salaries are highest among all EU and many foreigners wants to live there...chi chi chi....LOL
sheilla on Jul 12, 2019:
Hi guys,
I am living in Sydney, Australia waiting for my citizenship to be processed and to finish my bachelors in nursing in a few months. I don't see myself settling here as life is just too busy and I have zero social life plus my heart doesn't feel at home. I am looking into moving to Europe to practice as an RN and Netherlands is one of the countries on top of my list. I guess my questions are;
1. how hard/easy is it to find a job as an immigrant with zero Dutch language?
2. what is the average salary of an RN?

I am planning on pursuing masters after I am all settled. Any suggestions and views are welcome. Thank you
Lavolpe2 on Jun 14, 2019:
Opinions on surviving off a salary of approx €40k a year (3-year graduate program in finance in Schiphol area) in Amsterdam.

I am currently living in Helsinki (studies) and I have heard the cost of living in Amsterdam is more expensive, which as an Australian, I find Helsinki to be very pricey as it is.

Appreciate the feedback
Anonymous on May 20, 2019:
I'm from the East visited Amsterdam on five different occasions to possibly live there and other parts of Netherlands.On average I make 35k € monthly.I didn't find the Netherlands to be acceptable due to the mindset of people in general.
ActuallyRealAmsterdam on May 18, 2019:
I am earning 10k € per rmonth growth. And it is an average salary.

Real salaries are 15 - 20 k € per month. We have many friendly immigrants in the Netherlands. I love friendly guys from the East they have the real European culture and integrate into our society quickly.

The housing prices are very low now. For 80K € you can buy a big house! Come and enjoy our city.
ActuallyLivingHere on Apr 28, 2019:
Amsterdam is expensive. I live a relatively upscale lifestyle at 6k€ gross / month, and manage to save about 15k per year. My mortgage for my 375k€ 2018-purchased 60m² apt in the city center is 1700€/month. After benefits it's roughly 1500€/month. I needed a down payment of more than 15k€.

My salary is roughly 2.5x the avg salary here.
Anonymous on Apr 26, 2019:
Living in Amsterdam from birth. Great place to live. Prices for houses are low, 500K euro. And salaries are big too 300 - 400 k per year.
C on Apr 17, 2019:
Amsterdam is most expensive city I've visited in Europe to be honest. £7 for a pint, and £20 for two kebab meals. #ripoff
Anonymous on Mar 17, 2019:
> So finish my 3 comments below I totally agree with the view and comment of #PersonActuallyLuvingInAmsterdam underneath.
Amsterdam is really expensive and don’t understand comments that Amsterdam is cheap ... those people must either live in a parallel universe or in a social houses.
Real estate market is insane and tenants have often to bid like in auction and pay more to get a good apartment to rent.

People saying Amsterdam is cheap are obviously trolling because Amsterdam residents KNOW that it's an increasingly expensive place to live. Rents are high and higher, social housing is being allocated to illegal migrants wholesale, and free market apartments are sold to Ukrainians and Chinese mafiosos for thousands more than the advertised price. Then there are all sorts of regulations that are keeping some middle incomers homeless - you pretty much either need to make a lot of money or be a lazy leech migrant to get a place.
Anonymous on Mar 12, 2019:
So finish my 3 comments below I totally agree with the view and comment of #PersonActuallyLuvingInAmsterdam underneath.
Amsterdam is really expensive and don’t understand comments that Amsterdam is cheap ... those people must either live in a parallel universe or in a social houses.
Real estate market is insane and tenants have often to bid like in auction and pay more to get a good apartment to rent.
Anonymous on Mar 12, 2019:
So if someone below was saying it’s the cheapest place in Europe it’s a total bullshit. Many services are even more expensive than in London but specifically Amsterdam is much cleaner and safer and good thing is that Dutch people love work life balance working from 9:00 to 17:00 and many are also working just 4 days a week so the social system is really good.
Anonymous on Mar 12, 2019:
So if you wanna live a good life incl. vacations, leisure activities, etc. it’s almost impossible to save something from 75k annually and at least 90k is perceived as a good salary incl. 30% ruling.
Anonymous on Mar 12, 2019:
Hi,
To be honest I’m always surprised when reading about how much money people can save from 75k € gross annual salary in Amsterdam...
Maybe I have higher demands on a living standard as don’t have and don’t wanna children (I think this planet is overcrowded + I’m not a housewife type) and prefer to enjoy life and fancy vacation ....but from my experience, living in Amsterdam- 10 mins from Central station, renting 85sqm apartment as a single person and I spent more than 50% of salary on rental costs ...food and transportation is more expensive than in London ...
Health care super expensive ...the most expensive are dentists. Fashion & clothes are terrible for women- hard to find high quality and ellegant dresses for reasonable prices and the offer of female shoes is here just disaster - no style as many Dutch women go to work by bicycle so sorry for saying that but any even average woman from
Eastern Europe feels in Amsterdam like a miss of the world. Fortunately there is still an option to order clothes from Italian websites. Clothes for men are of a good quality. Whenever possible it’s much more cost effective to buy own property as rental costs especially if you want a good standard and don’t wanna a shared house or live in a suburb are crazy here in Amsterdam.