Amsterdam vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vienna is ~16% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Amsterdam
Netherlands
COL+Rent
65.5
Rent Index
52.2
Groceries
65.4
Restaurant
73.1
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Amsterdam | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,318 | $1,391 | +$927 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $1,068 | +$754 |
| Groceries | $374 | $487 | $113 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $20 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $109 | $62 | +$47 |
| Utilities | $210 | $224 | $14 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Amsterdam | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,491/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $3,341/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,094/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Amsterdam | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,266/mo | -$234 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,689/mo | -$311 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,533/mo | -$467 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Amsterdam vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vienna is approximately 16% more affordable than Amsterdam when combining rent and daily living costs. Amsterdam's COL+Rent Index of 65.5 vs Vienna's 55.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Amsterdam costs $2,318/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Vienna a $927/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,124 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Amsterdam ($374/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Amsterdam's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $20 show Amsterdam is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Vienna offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,464 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.