City comparison
🇳🇱 Amsterdam vs 🇩🇪 Berlin
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, taxes, and quality of life for expats.
Quick verdict
More affordable
Berlin
17% cheaper overall
Higher quality of life
Amsterdam
8.5/10 vs 8/10
Cost of living comparison
| Category | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇩🇪 Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €1,800 | €1,200 |
| Rent (1-bed, suburb) | €1,400 | €850 |
| Groceries (single) | €350 | €260 |
| Transport pass | €100 | €58 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €70 | €70 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €3,200 | €2,300 |
Quality of life
| Metric | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇩🇪 Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Safety | 8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Healthcare | 9/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Education | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Expat Community | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| English Proficiency | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Tax & practical info
🇳🇱
Amsterdam
NetherlandsTax regime35.75–49.5% (30% ruling for expats)
ClimateOceanic
Nomad visa–
Effective tax rate30–38% (20–25% with 30% ruling)
Avg. salary€45,000–€75,000
🇩🇪
Berlin
GermanyTax regimeProgressive 14–42% (45% top); national rate
ClimateTemperate
Nomad visa–
Effective tax rate37–40%
Avg. salary€45,000–€75,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
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