Amsterdam vs Fresno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amsterdam
Fresno
The Verdict
Amsterdam is 0.0% less expensive than Fresno overall. A household earning $75,000 in Amsterdam would need approximately $75,000 in Fresno to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $75,000 in Fresno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Fresno equals $75,000 in Amsterdam.
Living in Amsterdam vs Fresno
Housing Costs
Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Fresno's 111, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $330,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,300/mo in Fresno, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 101 in Fresno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $480/month in Fresno. Amsterdam offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 106 in Fresno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $424 in Fresno. 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 100 in Fresno. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,000 in Amsterdam and $53,838 in Fresno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $50,316 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 $1,256/month in Fresno. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Fresno, median rent of $1,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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