City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Mesa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Mesa

Arizona
99
Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$60,234
Median Income

The Verdict

8.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.1%, with Mesa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to $69,393 in Mesa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
98
Mesa
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
99
Mesa
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
96
Mesa
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
103
Mesa
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
95
Mesa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $69,393 in Mesa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Mesa equals $81,061 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Mesa

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Mesa's 98, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $350,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,350/mo in Mesa, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 99 in Mesa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $470/month in Mesa. 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 Mesa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $384 in Mesa. 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 95 in Mesa. 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 $60,234 in Mesa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $60,842 respectively. Mesa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,353/month to housing in Amsterdam vs $1,405/month in Mesa. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Mesa, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mesa is 8.1% more affordable overall with an index of 99 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,393 in Mesa, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Mesa's is 98 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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