City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Cleveland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Cleveland

Ohio
87
Below Average
$100,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$32,053
Median Income

The Verdict

23.0%

Cleveland is 23.0% less expensive than Amsterdam overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amsterdam would need approximately $60,981 in Cleveland to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
59
Cleveland
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
99
Cleveland
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
96
Cleveland
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
101
Cleveland
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
96
Cleveland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $60,981 in Cleveland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Cleveland equals $92,241 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Cleveland

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Cleveland's 59, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $100,000. The $495,000 difference in home prices means roughly $32,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $900/mo in Cleveland, a monthly difference of $1,200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 99 in Cleveland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $470/month in Cleveland. 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 96 in Cleveland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $384 in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland. 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 $32,053 in Cleveland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $36,843 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 $748/month in Cleveland. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Cleveland, median rent of $900/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 79 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland is 23.0% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,981 in Cleveland, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Cleveland's is 59 with median homes at $100,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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