City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Cincinnati

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

Netherlands
107
Above Average
$595,000
Median Home
$2,100/mo
Median Rent
$58,000
Median Income

Cincinnati

Ohio
91
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,003
Median Income

The Verdict

17.6%

Living in Cincinnati costs 17.6% less than Amsterdam. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $63,785 in Cincinnati.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
138
Amsterdam
76
Cincinnati
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
99
Cincinnati
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
93
Cincinnati
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
101
Cincinnati
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
96
Cincinnati

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $63,785 in Cincinnati.

Conversely, $75,000 in Cincinnati equals $88,187 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Cincinnati

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Cincinnati's 76, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $195,000. The $400,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,004 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,100/mo in Cincinnati, a monthly difference of $1,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 99 in Cincinnati. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $470/month in Cincinnati. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 93 in Cincinnati. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $372 in Cincinnati. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 96 in Cincinnati. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $44,003 in Cincinnati. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $48,355 respectively. Amsterdam residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,027/month in Cincinnati. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Cincinnati, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cincinnati is 17.6% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,785 in Cincinnati, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Cincinnati's is 76 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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