City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Long Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Long Beach

California
155
Very Expensive
$700,000
Median Home
$2,200/mo
Median Rent
$60,567
Median Income

The Verdict

31.0%

Living in Amsterdam costs 31.0% less than Long Beach. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $108,645 in Long Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
236
Long Beach
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
106
Long Beach
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
114
Long Beach
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
118
Long Beach
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
103
Long Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $108,645 in Long Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Long Beach equals $51,774 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Long Beach

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is lower Long Beach's 236, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $700,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $2,200/mo in Long Beach, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 106 in Long Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $504/month in Long Beach. Amsterdam offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 114 in Long Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $456 in Long Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 103 in Long Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $60,567 in Long Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $39,075 respectively. Amsterdam residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,413/month in Long Beach. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Long Beach, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amsterdam is 31.0% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 155.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $108,645 in Long Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Long Beach's is 236 with median homes at $700,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases