Amsterdam vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amsterdam
Dublin
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 2.9%, with Dublin being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to $72,897 in Dublin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $72,897 in Dublin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $77,163 in Amsterdam.
Living in Amsterdam vs Dublin
Housing Costs
Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $470,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $451/month in Dublin. 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 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $440 in Dublin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 82 in Dublin. 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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $53,846 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 $1,307/month in Dublin. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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