Amsterdam vs London: Cost of Living & Salary Comparison
How do Amsterdam and London stack up for professionals? We compare salaries, rent, taxes, and overall quality of life to help you make an informed decision.
Amsterdam
London
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Category | Amsterdam | London | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 72 | 85 | -15% (lower is better) |
| Median Salary | $52,000 | $52,000 | |
| Rent (1BR) | $1,800 | $2,300 | (/month) |
| Rent (2BR) | $2,500 | $3,200 | (/month) |
| Groceries Index | 72 | 82 | -12% (NYC=100) |
| Transport Monthly | $105 | $180 | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 37% | 31% | (at median income) |
| Purchasing Power | 74 | 78 | -5% (higher is better) |
Salary Comparison by Role
| Role | Amsterdam | London | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $72,000 | $72,000 | +0% |
| Product Manager | $72,000 | $72,000 | +0% |
| Data Scientist | $72,000 | $72,000 | +0% |
| DevOps Engineer | $75,000 | $75,000 | +0% |
| Frontend Developer | $62,000 | $62,000 | +0% |
| Engineering Manager | $98,000 | $102,000 | -4% |
London Offers Better Purchasing Power
London has a purchasing power index of 78 compared to 74 for Amsterdam. Despite potentially higher costs, making it a stronger choice from a pure economic standpoint. It's also a top tech hub (score: 9/10).
Common Questions
Based on cost of living indices, Amsterdam (72) is less expensive compared to London (85), where NYC = 100.
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $118,000 in London to match $100,000 in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam has a tech hub score of 8/10 while London scores 9/10. London generally offers more tech opportunities.
Based on purchasing power, London offers better value. This accounts for both salary levels and cost of living.
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Last updated: 2026-02-19 | Data sources: Numbeo, OECD, Glassdoor, and local government statistics.