City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Virginia Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Virginia Beach

Virginia
105
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$73,418
Median Income

The Verdict

1.9%

Living in Virginia Beach costs 1.9% less than Amsterdam. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $73,598 in Virginia Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
112
Virginia Beach
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
100
Virginia Beach
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
98
Virginia Beach
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
101
Virginia Beach
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
99
Virginia Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $73,598 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $76,429 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $310,000. The $285,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,528 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. 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 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $392 in Virginia Beach. 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 99 in Virginia Beach. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia Beach is 1.9% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,598 in Virginia Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Virginia Beach's is 112 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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