Amsterdam VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Amsterdam
Netherlands
82.6
COLI Index
#8
Global Rank
EUR
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
82.6
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,800
$1,500
Total Deductions
37.0%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 EUR = 10.7371 SEK
Is Amsterdam cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Stockholm is 22% cheaper than Amsterdam based on our cost of living index. Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, while Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6. 22% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Amsterdam vs Stockholm

Overall, Stockholm is approximately 22% cheaper than Amsterdam based on our cost of living index. Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6 (ranked #8 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Amsterdam averages $1,800/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Stockholm approximately 17% cheaper for rent alone.

Amsterdam has lower total deductions (37.0%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Amsterdam. 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

Stockholm

Income Tax
32%
Employee Social Fees
7.0%
Total: 39.0%Take-Home: kr 267,812/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 kr 531,521 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 22% 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) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) €126,065 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer €59,530 kr 497,575
Product Manager €70,036 kr 585,382
Lawyer €70,036 kr 585,382
Data Scientist €66,534 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager €50,426 kr 421,475
Teacher €33,617 kr 280,983
Nurse €40,621 kr 339,521

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%)

Stockholm (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Östermalm1.32x (+32%)
Norrmalm1.22x (+22%)
Gamla Stan1.20x (+20%)
Djurgården1.18x (+18%)
Södermalm1.15x (+15%)

Sponsored

Moving between Amsterdam and Stockholm?

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 Stockholm more expensive?

Amsterdam is more expensive overall. Amsterdam has a COLI of 82.6 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Stockholm approximately 22% cheaper.

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

To maintain the same standard of living as €63,592 in Amsterdam, you would need approximately kr 531,521 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Amsterdam or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Amsterdam is $1,800/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Stockholm has lower rent by approximately 17%.

Which city has lower taxes, Amsterdam or Stockholm?

Amsterdam has lower total deductions (37.0%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Amsterdam.

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.