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
3% cheaper overall
Higher quality of life
Amsterdam
8.5/10 vs 8/10
Cost of living comparison
| Category | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇩🇪 Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €2,266 | €1,316 |
| Rent (1-bed, outside centre) | €1,664 | €995 |
| Groceries (single) | €350 | €260 |
| Transport pass | €100 | €58 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €80 | €70 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €4,350 | €3,250 |
Rents: Amsterdam, Numbeo (August 2026); Berlin, Numbeo (September 2026)
Monthly budgets: official household spending surveys, single adult, plus rent; each city page gives its source.
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 regime
35.75 to 49.5% (30% ruling for expats)
Climate
Oceanic
Nomad visa
No
Effective tax rate
30 to 38% (22 to 27%)
Avg. salary
€45,000 to €75,000
🇩🇪
Berlin
GermanyTax regime
Progressive 14 to 42% (45% top); national rate
Climate
Temperate
Nomad visa
No
Effective tax rate
34 to 39%
Avg. salary
€45,000 to €75,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
These figures are indicative and based on public datasets. They are not the opinion of a tax lawyer. Consult a tax lawyer, a chartered accountant or a licensed financial professional before making relocation or employment decisions.
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