🇳🇱 Netherlands
A 24-hour field dispatch ~ what Amsterdam costs, what it pays, and what it feels like to wake up here.
Compare Amsterdam →Move Score
7.9/10
Cost, salary, visa, quality of life combined.
Population
1.1M
Europe/Amsterdam · Dutch
One-bedroom, central Amsterdam: €1,950 / month. Outside the centre, 25 min by transit: €1,500 / month. Utilities: €165.
Not the sunniest city. Not the most expensive either.
Rent · 1BR centre
€1,950/mo
Within 15 min of city centre
Rent · outside
€1,500/mo
25–35 min transit to centre
Utilities
€165/mo
Power, water, internet ~ 1BR
Monthly pass: €100 / month. Walkability: 9.2 / 10 — most errands on foot. Safety: 7.2 / 10.
Transit · monthly
€100/mo
Unlimited metro + bus + tram
Walkability
9.2/10
Safety
7.2/10
Low violent crime. Petty theft in tourist zones.
After 37% income tax, take-home is €3,780 / month.
Purchasing power is competitive. Cost of living doesn't cancel the take-home.
EU citizens: free movement. Non-EU: Highly Skilled Migrant Visa (€5,688/mo gross, or €4,171 under 30). 30% tax ruling for international recruits (5 years). Orientation Year Visa for recent graduates.
software engineer · gross
€72,000/yr
Income tax
37%
Standard progressive rate
Take-home · monthly
€3,780avg
After tax · before rent
Groceries for one, cooking most nights: €420 / month. A restaurant meal for two, mid-range: €80.
Healthcare: public system, covered for residents. Internet: 8.2 / 10. Fast. Remote work is viable.
Groceries · monthly
€420/mo
Single, cooking most nights
Dinner for two
€80avg
Mid-range, with wine
Internet
8.2/10
Fibre widely available
Jordaan
Picturesque & Expensive
1BR rent: €2,200 · Good for: Couples, Culture
De Pijp
Trendy & International
1BR rent: €1,900 · Good for: Young professionals, Remote workers
Oost
Multicultural & Up-and-coming
1BR rent: €1,600 · Good for: Budget, Young professionals
Oud-West
Leafy & Residential
1BR rent: €1,850 · Good for: Families, Remote workers
Noord
Hipster & Affordable
1BR rent: €1,450 · Good for: Budget, Remote workers, Nightlife
Expat-friendly
9.0/10
Nightlife
8.0/10
Quality of life
7.8/10
Maritime temperate. Cool, cloudy with regular rain. Mild summers, cold but rarely snowy winters.
JAN
5°
22d
FEB
6°
20d
MAR
9°
16d
APR
14°
11d
MAY
18°
5d
JUN
21°
1d
JUL
22°
0d
AUG
21°
1d
SEP
18°
5d
OCT
14°
11d
NOV
9°
16d
DEC
6°
20d
Top: avg daily high °C. Bottom: rainy days that month.
Summer high
22°C
Winter high
5°C
Rain days / year
130days
Nightlife score: 8.0 / 10 — among the highest. Coworking: €380 / month. Gym: €50 / month.
Coworking
€380/mo
Hot desk · standard
Gym
€50/mo
Standard chain membership
EU citizens: free movement. Non-EU: Highly Skilled Migrant Visa (€5,688/mo gross, or €4,171 under 30). 30% tax ruling for international recruits (5 years). Orientation Year Visa for recent graduates.
Healthcare
8.0/10
Public for residents
→ Who this city is for
Remote worker on €50–80k
Mid-range rent, good internet (8.2/10). Works if your salary travels.
Party / nightlife seeker
Nightlife 8.0/10. Amsterdam earns its reputation after dark.
Finance / high-earner (€120k+)
Tax rate of 37% erodes the salary premium. Better options exist for high earners.
Family relocation
Safety score 7.2/10 is a concern. Not the first choice for families.
Retiree / lifestyle mover
Climate or cost makes this a harder sell for lifestyle movers without a salary.
Every number in this dispatch, in one place. Verified May 2026. Sources: local cost surveys 2026, ECA International, IND Netherlands, LinkedIn Salary.
Rent · 1BR centre
€1,950/mo
Rent · 1BR outside
€1,500/mo
Utilities
€165/mo
Groceries
€420/mo
Transit
€100/mo
Coworking
€380/mo
Gym
€50/mo
Est. total · single
€2,615/mo
Software engineer
€72,000/yr
Income tax
37%
Move score
€7.9/10
Safety
7.2/10
Walkability
9.2/10
Quality of life
7.8/10
Healthcare
8.0/10
Expat-friendly
9.0/10
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