🇳🇱 Amsterdam vs 🇩🇪 Hamburg

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇳🇱

Amsterdam

Netherlands

$2,708–$4,287/mo

€2,507 – €3,969 / month (local)

🇩🇪

Hamburg

Germany

$2,338–$3,703/mo

€2,165 – €3,429 / month (local)

Amsterdam is 16% more expensive

Hamburg wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryAmsterdam (USD)Hamburg (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$2,031–$3,159$1,754–$2,728🟢 Hamburg
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$1,072–$1,692$926–$1,462🟢 Hamburg
Utilities$85–$164$73–$141🟢 Hamburg
Groceries$429–$643$370–$555🟢 Hamburg
Eating out (mid-range meal)$56–$102$49–$88🟢 Hamburg
Public transport (monthly)$107–$130$93–$112🟢 Hamburg
Internet & Mobile$34–$56$29–$49🟢 Hamburg
Gym membership$39–$73$34–$63🟢 Hamburg
Cinema ticket$16–$20$14–$18🟢 Hamburg
Monthly total (single)$2,708–$4,287$2,338–$3,703🟢 Hamburg

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing4.1 / 10 · 5.5 / 10
Amsterdam
Hamburg▲ better
Safety8.8 / 10 · 9.4 / 10
Amsterdam
Hamburg▲ better
Healthcare8.8 / 10 · 7.7 / 10
Amsterdam▲ better
Hamburg
Education8.4 / 10 · 9.0 / 10
Amsterdam
Hamburg▲ better
Environment9.2 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Amsterdam▲ better
Hamburg
Economy7.5 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Amsterdam
Hamburg▲ better
Culture8.1 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Amsterdam
Hamburg▲ better
Internet8.5 / 10 · 9.1 / 10
Amsterdam
Hamburg▲ better

Who should choose which city?

Choose Amsterdam if…

  • You're happy to pay more for what Amsterdam offers vs Hamburg
  • English-friendly
  • Bikes
  • Quality of life
  • Tech

Choose Hamburg if…

  • You want lower typical monthly costs than Amsterdam
  • Port city
  • Music
  • Water
  • Logistics

You might also like…

📊

Full Amsterdam guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Amsterdam

📊

Full Hamburg guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Hamburg