Amsterdam VS Singapore

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Amsterdam
Netherlands
82.6
COLI Index
#8
Global Rank
EUR
Currency
Singapore
Singapore
87.7
COLI Index
#5
Global Rank
SGD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
82.6
87.7
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,800
$2,200
Total Deductions
37.0%
24.7%
Exchange Rate
1 EUR = 1.5364 SGD
Is Amsterdam cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Amsterdam is 6% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6, while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7. 6% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Amsterdam vs Singapore

Overall, Amsterdam is approximately 6% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6 (ranked #8 of 182 cities), while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7 (ranked #5).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Amsterdam averages $1,800/month compared to $2,200/month in Singapore. That makes Amsterdam approximately 18% cheaper for rent alone.

Singapore has lower total deductions (24.7%) compared to Amsterdam (37.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Singapore. 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

Singapore

Income Tax
5%
CPF (Employee Share)
20.0%
Total: 24.7%Take-Home: S$64,545/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 S$103,736 in Singapore to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 6% more due to higher 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) Singapore (SGD)
Doctor (General) €126,065 S$205,646
Software Engineer €59,530 S$97,111
Product Manager €70,036 S$114,248
Lawyer €70,036 S$114,248
Data Scientist €66,534 S$108,535
Marketing Manager €50,426 S$82,258
Teacher €33,617 S$54,839
Nurse €40,621 S$66,264

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%)

Singapore (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Sentosa1.40x (+40%)
Marina Bay1.35x (+35%)
Orchard Road1.30x (+30%)
Raffles Place1.25x (+25%)
Dempsey Hill1.22x (+22%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amsterdam or Singapore more expensive?

Singapore is more expensive overall. Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6 while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7, making Amsterdam approximately 6% cheaper.

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

To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Amsterdam, you would need approximately S$103,736 in Singapore.

Is rent cheaper in Amsterdam or Singapore?

Average one-bedroom rent in Amsterdam is $1,800/month compared to $2,200/month in Singapore. Amsterdam has lower rent by approximately 18%.

Which city has lower taxes, Amsterdam or Singapore?

Singapore has lower total deductions (24.7%) compared to Amsterdam (37.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Singapore.

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.