City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

3.9%

Living in Wilmington costs 3.9% less than Amsterdam. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $72,196 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
108
Wilmington
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
101
Wilmington
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
94
Wilmington
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $72,196 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $77,913 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $320,000. The $275,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,880 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $700.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $480/month in Wilmington. Amsterdam offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 118 in Amsterdam and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington is 3.9% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,196 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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