Cost of Living in Amsterdam

Is Amsterdam expensive?

Amsterdam is certainly an expensive city to live in, especially when compared to other major European cities, with the total cost of living for a single person, including rent, coming to approximately €3,114 per month.

When we compare this to London, the total monthly cost for a single person living there is €3,875, which includes €2,593 for rent and €1,282 for other living expenses. This makes London about €761 more expensive per month than Amsterdam.

On the other hand, Berlin is less expensive to live in than Amsterdam, with a total monthly cost of €2,277, which includes €1,268 for rent and €1,009 for living costs. This means that Amsterdam is €837 more expensive per month than Berlin (Source: Numbeo).

In terms of rental prices, Amsterdam is the most expensive city to live in the Netherlands, and prices are still showing an upward trend. Now, let’s explore the specific costs you can expect when living in Amsterdam.

Rent per month

Here’s an indication of the average monthly rent in Amsterdam based on the size and location of the apartment (source: Numbeo):

• Apartment (1 bedroom) in city center: €2,041
• Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of center: €1,694
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center: €3,363
• Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of center: €2,544

In Amsterdam, central areas like Jordaan and De Pijp are especially pricey, as they are in high demand due to their closeness to popular amenities and attractions. Some more affordable areas are Noord, Bijlmer, and Bos & Lommer, but let’s look at these areas in a bit more detail:

These are some of the better and more pricey neighborhoods:

• City Centre (Centrum)
• Jordaan (The Anne Frank House is here)
• Amsterdam-Zuid (The University of Amsterdam is in this area)
• Amsterdam-Oost (Next to the popular De Pijp)
• Westerpark (part of Amsterdam-West, including the beautiful Westerpark)
• Amsterdam-Noord (Lots of waterfront apartments)

Try to avoid these neighborhoods:

• Nieuw-West (Osdorp, Sloten, Slotervaart)
• Amsterdam-Zuidoost (Bijlmermeer)

Up and coming affordable neighborhoods:

• De Baarsjes (part of Amsterdam-West)
• Bos en Lommer (part of Amsterdam-West)
• Spaarndammerbuurt (near Westerpark in Amsterdam-West)

When looking to rent, you can keep the cost down by going for an unfurnished Dutch house rather than a modern apartment. You should also be aware that while some property rentals are regulated, many people compete and bid for the unregulated ones — which also pushes the price up.

How to find an apartment in Amsterdam

When moving to Amsterdam, you must be persistent and patient — and invest a lot of your time into researching and viewing apartments. We recommend you give yourself at least 2-3 months to find a place to live. If you’re in a rush or without the luxury of time, we recommend you find short-term accommodation first before securing a long-term rental. There are plenty of rental sites that offer furnished apartments at a reasonable price for a couple of months at a time. HousingAnywhere, Pararius, and Homelike are a few options, but bear in mind these apartments come at a higher cost.

The rent in Amsterdam — and the rest of the Netherlands — for mid-range and private sector homes is largely based on a point system. The more points your home has — based on factors like size, location, and energy efficiency — the higher the rent can be. For mid-range rentals, there's a cap on rent, but for high-point homes in the private sector, landlords can set the rent as they wish. You can check if your rent is fair by using a Rent Price Check tool, which calculates the maximum rent based on your home's points.

Moreover, landlords in the private rental market typically want their tenants to have a gross income of around 3-4 times the rent amount — so make sure that you are looking for apartments in the price bracket that you can actually afford. And when you are viewing places, be prepared to make a quick decision because the demand is extremely high at all times. Have your documents ready too, such as work contracts, bank statements and payslips for at least the past 12 months. In Amsterdam, scams are also not unheard of, so never send any money to the landlord before seeing the apartment in person.

If you need support during your housing search, we’re happy to help. We can provide you with a quote or introduce you to our trusted providers who have assisted many of our users in finding housing in Amsterdam.

Property prices

There are no restrictions on foreigners buying real estate in the Netherlands, however, you must reside and be registered in the Netherlands. Amsterdam's real estate market is very competitive, especially when it comes to buying a home. Bidding wars often cause prices to go up by a lot. A real estate agent can help you through the buying process, especially when it comes to evaluating homes and keeping track of bids. The average price per square meter to buy an apartment in Amsterdam according to Numbeo is around:

• City centre: €9,493/sqm
• Outside of the city center: €6,928/sqm

If you choose to work with agents, make sure they are qualified real estate agents, specifically with the biggest Dutch estate agents association, NVM makelaar. Also, keep in mind that many homes in Amsterdam are on leased land, which means that you have to make yearly payments to the City of Amsterdam (on top of your rent) — to find out more about current fees, contact the relevant authorities. If you can, look at homes where the land is owned outright to avoid these extra costs to keep your cost of living in Amsterdam as low as possible.

Also, keep an eye on the monthly fees you pay to the VvE (Homeowners Association) for building care. Fees that are too high or too low can be a sign of problems to come. The cost can be anywhere between €100 up to a few hundred euros, based on the specifics of the building such as having elevators and the age of the building. For example, an older house would come with a higher fee, as most likely there will be things that need fixing more often.

In Amsterdam, properties often attract multiple offers, creating bidding wars. To increase your chances, you might need to offer 10–15% above the asking price. It’s customary, as this strategy shows the seller you're serious and can help your bid stand out among others. However, if your offer exceeds the property's estimated value, be aware that the bank will only finance up to that value, meaning you'll need to cover the difference out of pocket, along with additional costs like taxes, agent and notary fees, and other unexpected expenses. Having a statement from a mortgage advisor can also strengthen your offer, demonstrating that your finances are in order.

Utilities

Another big chunk of the Amsterdam cost of living is the monthly utilities (Source: Numbeo):

• Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m² apartment: €253
• Mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ Data: €22
• Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, Cable/ADSL): €46

These expenses can add up to a hefty amount throughout the year. However, you can try and reduce this sum by following these tips:

• To save money on electricity, use your appliances when it is a bit cheaper, such as at night, during the weekend, and on public holidays.
• Instead of paying a flat rate, you can install a meter and pay only for actual water consumption.
• Make sure to research your options to find the best mobile plans as there are plenty of cheaper options to choose from.
• For your internet, it’s worth getting an all-in-one package with a discount and shopping around to look for temporary offers.

Public transport

Public transport in Amsterdam is efficient and reliable, and you can easily get around the city and nearby destinations with buses, trams, and trains. From the central station, you can even catch direct trains to France, Germany, and Belgium, and get there in just a few hours. Most importantly, Amsterdam is known as the "Bike City," and especially in the city center, biking is the most convenient way to get around. The city is not particularly car-friendly, with expensive parking rates that can reach €5 per hour, even at night. It's best to use public transport or, ideally, a bike if you live in the center or nearby areas.

GVB Day/Multi-day tickets (Source: GVB):

• One-way ticket: €3.40
• 1 Day ticket: €9
• 7 Days ticket: €41
• Monthly pass: €82
• Valid on GVB trams, buses, and metro within Amsterdam.

Amsterdam travel ticket:

• 1 Day ticket: €18
• 3 Days ticket: €30
• Includes the same as a GVB ticket, plus unlimited travel on GVB transport and NS trains between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam.

Taxi (Source: Numbeo):

• Taxi Start (normal tariff): €4
• Taxi 1 km: €2.40
• Taxi 1 hour waiting: €35
• From the Airport to the city centre: €35-45

Food

Eating out in Amsterdam is pricey, especially in the touristy city center. Take-out meals can start at €10 and go up to €30 or more. Street food or a sandwich might cost you around €5, and a Doner kebab will be around €10. If you want a takeaway coffee be prepared to pay around €4 at a minimum. If you're looking for a cheap meal, you might find a slice of pizza for €5, but On the other hand, if you're splurging on a fancy dinner with friends, it could easily cost a couple hundred euros. Although tipping isn't required, most people round up the bill adding somewhere around 10%.

In Amsterdam, you can expect to spend around €350-€400 a month on food and groceries. Your costs will depend a lot on where you shop. Stores like Lidl and Aldi are budget-friendly and will cover necessities, while supermarkets like Albert Heijn and Jumbo offer a larger range of products and premium options making them more pricey. To save money, keep an eye out for weekly deals like the ones at Albert Heijn, and try to stick to seasonal fruits and veggies from farmer’s markets — they're usually cheaper. Organic products are available but tend to cost more, so it's worth thinking about whether you want to spend the extra cash. Here’s how much you’d spend on groceries on average, per month:

• For a single person: €150-€200
• For a couple: €300-€400
• For a family of four: €500-€600

Here are some typical grocery items to give you an idea of price (Source: Numbeo):

• Milk (1 liter): €1.20
• Loaf of fresh white bread (500g): €2
• Rice (1kg): €2.60
• Eggs (12): €4
• Chicken fillets (1kg): €13
• Domestic beer (0.5 liter draught): €6

Childcare

Finding childcare in Amsterdam can be a bit of a challenge due to high demand, so it’s best to start your search early. Also, the Dutch government provides subsidies to help with expenses, which makes the otherwise pricey services more affordable for families.

Expected prices for each type of childcare are the following (Source: Expatica):

• Public daycare and preschools cost between €8 to €10.50 per hour, but be sure to register early (even a year in advance) due to long waiting lists.
• Childminders typically charge around €10 per hour.
• Nannies cost between €10 to €20 per hour, with potential agency fees.
• Au pairs receive a monthly allowance of €300 to €340, excluding food and board.
• The average cost (Source: Numbeo) of preschool (or kindergarten), full day, private per month: €2,205.

You can get income-based subsidies for registered childcare, covering up to 230 hours a month per child. The amount you get depends on your working status, childcare registration, and income. Read more here to check your eligibility, and use this calculator to see how much you’ll likely pay.

There are also plenty of international schools to choose from, but keep in mind, that these school fees can be pretty steep, and waiting lists are common, so it's a good idea to start looking early.

International yearly school fees (Source: International Schools Database):

• International School of Amsterdam: €24,240 to €33,385
• Amity International School Amsterdam: €19,577 to €25,015
• The British School of Amsterdam: €18,750 to €20,700
• International School Haarlem: €5,180 to €6,480

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