City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

The Verdict

32.1%

Living in Roanoke costs 32.1% less than Amsterdam. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $56,776 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
57
Roanoke
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
97
Roanoke
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
116
Roanoke
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $56,776 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $99,074 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $225,000. The $370,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,048 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $1,025.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $464 in Roanoke. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Amsterdam and 91 in Roanoke. 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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 32.1% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,776 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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