London vs Amsterdam
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Amsterdam is ~10% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Amsterdam
Netherlands
COL+Rent
65.5
Rent Index
52.2
Groceries
65.4
Restaurant
73.1
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $2,318 | +$185 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $1,822 | +$138 |
| Groceries | $422 | $374 | +$48 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $22 | +$6 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $109 | +$4 |
| Utilities | $258 | $210 | +$48 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $2,491/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $3,341/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $4,094/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Amsterdam | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,348/mo | -$152 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,797/mo | -$203 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,695/mo | -$305 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Amsterdam for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Amsterdam is approximately 10% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Amsterdam's 65.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in London costs $2,503/month versus $2,318/month in Amsterdam — giving Amsterdam a $185/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Amsterdam ($374/mo) reflect Amsterdam's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $22 show Amsterdam offers cheaper dining. 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, Amsterdam offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,341 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.