City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Amsterdam vs Edinburgh — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Amsterdam
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 65.5 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Amsterdam.
Edinburgh
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Amsterdam | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $3,101 | $2,441 | +$660 |
| Groceries | $560 | $830 | $270 |
| Dining Out | $396 | $636 | $240 |
| Transportation | $163 | $221 | $58 |
| Utilities | $315 | $506 | $191 |
| Other / Misc | $465 | $366 | +$99 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Amsterdam
$5,000
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$3,076
per month
Only $3,076/mo in Edinburgh matches $5,000/mo in Amsterdam — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Amsterdam on $5,000/month?
Living in Amsterdam on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$3,101 to rent, $560 to groceries, $396 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000/month?
In Edinburgh, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,441 rent, $830 groceries, $636 dining.
Is Amsterdam or Edinburgh cheaper?
Edinburgh is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Amsterdam 65.5 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Amsterdam worth in Edinburgh?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Amsterdam equals ~$3,076/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.