City Comparison

Amsterdam vs Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Amsterdam

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

Winston-Salem

North Carolina
84
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$52,600
Median Income

The Verdict

27.4%

Living in Winston-Salem costs 27.4% less than Amsterdam. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Amsterdam, you would need $58,879 in Winston-Salem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
138
Amsterdam
63
Winston-Salem
Groceries
95
Amsterdam
97
Winston-Salem
Utilities
118
Amsterdam
99
Winston-Salem
Transportation
112
Amsterdam
94
Winston-Salem
Healthcare
90
Amsterdam
103
Winston-Salem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has the same purchasing power as $58,879 in Winston-Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $95,536 in Amsterdam.

Living in Amsterdam vs Winston-Salem

Housing Costs

Amsterdam's housing index of 138 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $250,000. The $345,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,100/mo in Amsterdam compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Amsterdam and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Amsterdam vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. 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 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $472 in Amsterdam vs $396 in Winston-Salem. 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 103 in Winston-Salem. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,206 and $62,619 respectively. Winston-Salem 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 $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Amsterdam, median rent of $2,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Winston-Salem is 27.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Amsterdam has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,879 in Winston-Salem, based on the cost of living difference.
Amsterdam's housing index is 138 with median homes at $595,000, while Winston-Salem's is 63 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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