Amsterdam VS Boston

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Amsterdam
Netherlands
82.6
COLI Index
#8
Global Rank
EUR
Currency
Boston
United States
82.4
COLI Index
#9
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
82.6
82.4
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,800
$2,800
Total Deductions
37.0%
30.6%
Exchange Rate
1 EUR = 1.1794 USD
Is Amsterdam cheaper than Boston?

Yes, Boston is 0% cheaper than Amsterdam based on our cost of living index. Boston has a COLI of 82.4, while Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6. 0% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Amsterdam vs Boston

Overall, Boston is approximately 0% cheaper than Amsterdam based on our cost of living index. Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6 (ranked #8 of 182 cities), while Boston has a COLI of 82.4 (ranked #9).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Amsterdam averages $1,800/month compared to $2,800/month in Boston. That makes Amsterdam approximately 36% cheaper for rent alone.

Boston has lower total deductions (30.6%) compared to Amsterdam (37.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Boston. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Amsterdam

Income Tax
17%
Social Premiums
20.1%
Total: 37.0%Take-Home: €33,108/yr

Boston

Income Tax
14%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MA)
9.0%
Total: 30.6%Take-Home: $42,861/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn €63,592 in Amsterdam, you would need approximately $74,818 in Boston to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 0% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Amsterdam (EUR) Boston (USD)
Doctor (General) €126,065 $148,320
Software Engineer €59,530 $70,040
Product Manager €70,036 $82,400
Lawyer €70,036 $82,400
Data Scientist €66,534 $78,280
Marketing Manager €50,426 $59,328
Teacher €33,617 $39,552
Nurse €40,621 $47,792

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Amsterdam (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Canal Ring (Centrum)1.30x (+30%)
Oud-Zuid1.28x (+28%)
Jordaan1.25x (+25%)
Zuidas1.20x (+20%)
Oud-West1.15x (+15%)

Boston (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Back Bay1.30x (+30%)
Beacon Hill1.28x (+28%)
Seaport1.25x (+25%)
Cambridge (Kendall Sq)1.20x (+20%)
South End1.18x (+18%)

Sponsored

Moving between Amsterdam and Boston?

Save up to 6x on international transfers. Send money at the real exchange rate with no hidden fees.

Compare Transfer Fees →

Get Your Exact Number

Use our converter with 3,400+ neighborhood adjustments for a precise salary comparison

Open Salary Converter

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amsterdam or Boston more expensive?

Amsterdam is more expensive overall. Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6 while Boston has a COLI of 82.4, making Boston approximately 0% cheaper.

What salary in Boston equals €63,592 in Amsterdam?

To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Amsterdam, you would need approximately $74,818 in Boston.

Is rent cheaper in Amsterdam or Boston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Amsterdam is $1,800/month compared to $2,800/month in Boston. Amsterdam has lower rent by approximately 36%.

Which city has lower taxes, Amsterdam or Boston?

Boston has lower total deductions (30.6%) compared to Amsterdam (37.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Boston.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.