City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Scottsdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Scottsdale

Arizona
123
Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$92,298
Median Income

The Verdict

13.0%

Living in Amsterdam costs 13.0% less than Scottsdale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $86,215 in Scottsdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
162
Scottsdale
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
103
Scottsdale
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
96
Scottsdale
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
103
Scottsdale
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
95
Scottsdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $86,215 in Scottsdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Scottsdale equals $65,244 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Scottsdale

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is lower Scottsdale's 162, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $580,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $2,000/mo in Scottsdale, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 103 in Scottsdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $489/month in Scottsdale. Amsterdam offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 96 in Scottsdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $384 in Scottsdale. 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 Scottsdale. 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 $92,298 in Scottsdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $75,039 respectively. Scottsdale 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 $2,154/month in Scottsdale. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amsterdam is 13.0% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 123.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,215 in Scottsdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Scottsdale's is 162 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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