Amsterdam vs Paris
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amsterdam
Paris
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 4.5%, with Amsterdam being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to $78,505 in Paris.
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 $78,505 in Paris.
Conversely, $75,000 in Paris equals $71,652 in Amsterdam.
Living in Amsterdam vs Paris
Housing Costs
Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is lower Paris's 155, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $695,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,800/mo in Paris, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 98 in Paris. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $466/month in Paris. 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 108 in Paris. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $432 in Paris. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 85 in Paris. 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 $48,000 in Paris. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $42,857 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 $1,120/month in Paris. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Paris, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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