Rotterdam Vs Amsterdam Cost of Living: Which one you should choose?
By: Guest writer Uzzal Circuit / Read more about us.
People search for the cost to live in Huge, Haarlem, and other neighborhoods of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Well, wherever you live, both of the city is going to be a hell of expensive. All the activities from morning to night will be a lot compared to any other EU country.
Answering the question Rotterdam Vs Amsterdam Cost of Living, I must say that you are going to spend 17% more in Amsterdam than the other one. Specifically, a person and a family will be spending 1700 and 4000 euros in Rotterdam. It will be 2100 and 5500 euros for Amsterdam.
In every single area, Amsterdam going to be overpriced. However, job opportunities and other things will be beneficial here. To know more about our findings, you will need to look below.
Rotterdam Vs Amsterdam Cost of Living
If you name the most beautiful and popular city in the Netherlands, Amsterdam will be first and Rotterdam will be in second. The Netherlands is one of the members of the European Union with an almost similar atmosphere, rules, and cost of things to other countries.
Living in these cities will feel like living in a dream for everyone. Waking up every morning and seeing outside will give a vibe of a fairytale because of the colorful nature and fresh air. Not only because of the beauty of these cities but there are also many reason people want to move here from countries like the USA.
Well, before going any further, we would like to mention that the Netherlands is one of the most expensive countries. So, most of the cities here are as expensive as it is and some of them even have high living expenses than America.
In this article, we will be comparing the capital Amsterdam and another popular city Rotterdam. People from different parts of the world come here to study or job and they want a comparison to make the right decision
Because they have to maintain a healthy lifestyle with the money they will be earning. Another thing is the income tax rate here is based on the EU but there are a few differences. Based on the income, it can be 9% to 49%. Therefore, the tax rate in this country is not low but quite high. that is why living here needs a serious calculation.
Rotterdam Vs Amsterdam, an overall calculation of living
People move to other cities or countries in two scenarios if they get a job or if they get into a college or university. Normally, international students live in these places alone as single people. Moreover, the job holder usually moves with their family.
In that case, the living cost for a person will be $1660 or 1696€ in Rotterdam and $2160 or 2196€ in Amsterdam. Besides, a family will need $3905 or 3941€ in Rotterdam and $4969 or 5005€ in Amsterdam.
That means in every scenario, Amsterdam is going to be a lot more expensive than the other one. If we have a closer look at the cost analysis table below, rent in both of the situations has the highest cost which is insane in a practical manner. If we compare this to any other cities like Berlin or Munich, the cost is at least 40% to 55% higher.
| Area | Rotterdam | Amsterdam |
| Cost of living one person | $1660 or 1696€ | $2160 or 2196€ |
| Cost of living Family | $3905 or 3941€ | $4969 or 5005€ |
| One person rent | $963 or 999€ | $1373 or 1409€ |
| Family rent | $1535 or 1541€ | $2184or 2220€ |
| Food expenses | $414or 450€ | $443 or 479€ |
| Transport expenses | $170 or 206€ | $211 or 247€ |
| Monthly salary after tax | $3052 or 3088€ | $3773 3809€ |
| Higher education | 91 | 94 |
| Quality of life | 92 | 94 |
However, both the education quality and life acceptance rate in Amsterdam are higher. It is because this city is the Capital with a lot more opportunities. All the universities and companies here have world-class quality. So, if they want more opportunities even if with more cost, they can choose this one above Rotterdam.
The expense of Accommodation differences between Rotterdam and Amsterdam
Housing in Amsterdam is insanely expensive compared to any other city in the world. Can you imagine renting a studio apartment for more than a thousand euros? Well, it is the case in this city. If you rent an apartment of one room you will have to pay not less than 1600 euros. Moreover, it will be 1400 euros outside the city center. It is something that one will feel a nightmare even imagine as an international student after paying high tuition fees.
On the other hand, the one-room apartment price in Rotterdam is 32% to 53% lower than the other one. But still, it is high comparatively. Specifically, one will have to pay rent of at least 1200 euros in the city center and 1000 euros outside.
in both of the cities, unfurnished apartments for international students given by the university authority will be less than the estimated amount. If they choose to live in a shared apartment then the cost will not exceed 450 euros based on the room.
The same goes for housing costs for a family of four with 3 bedrooms. The expense will be at least 30% to 40% more in Amsterdam than in Rotterdam. Not only the house rent but utility bills in every area will be cheaper in Rotterdam.
A plus headache will be added if you are planning for Amsterdam which is a long queue for the house. Finding a place to live in this city is like a new moon. Overall, this city is quite hard to fit in with a lower wage salary. But once one gets a proper paying job and a sweet home, no city will feel like this one.
Rotterdam Vs Amsterdam, Food cost
After having a roof over the head, the other primary thing for living is healthy food. Wherever one lives, one must eat at least 2 meals a day to be active and healthy. Well, eating in these two cities will be as like the other cities of the EU.
However, food in different hotels or Restaurants will be 21% cheaper in Rotterdam than in Amsterdam. Moreover, the groceries will be at least 2% cheaper here.
That means, if you are in the capital of this country, you will have to pay extra for food both homes cooked and outside. Specifically, a daily meal in a non-expensive place will be 15 euros in Rotterdam and 20 euros in Amsterdam.
Moreover, all the groceries except beef, white bread, and a few other items will be costly here in the main city. Therefore, you must add another overpriced criterion to your list for this city.
| Restaurants | Rotterdam | Amsterdam | Difference |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 15.50 € | 20.00 € | +29.03% |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 70.00 € | 80.00 € | +14.29% |
| McMeal at McDonald’s | 9.00 € | 10.00 € | +11.11% |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) | 5.00 € | 5.86 € | +17.23% |
| Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | 4.00 € | 5.00 € | +25.00% |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 3.02 € | 3.45 € | +13.97% |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.45 € | 2.70 € | +10.19% |
| Water (0.33-liter bottle) | 2.35 € | 2.38 € | +1.65 % |
| Milk (1 liter) | 1.03 € | 1.18 € | +14.94% |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 1.76 € | 1.40 € | -20.44 % |
| Rice (1kg) | 1.82 € | 1.89 € | +3.89 % |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 2.27 € | 3.36 € | +47.80% |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 10.47 € | 12.44 € | +18.72% |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 8.36 € | 9.40 € | +12.43% |
| Beef Round (1kg) | 24.90 € | 18.92 € | -24.01 % |
| Apples (1kg) | 2.62 € | 2.36 € | -10.16 % |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.34 € | 1.71 € | +28.22% |
| Oranges (1kg) | 1.40 € | 1.72 € | +22.97% |
| Tomato (1kg) | 2.49 € | 2.84 € | +14.17% |
| Potato (1kg) | 1.05 € | 1.67 € | +58.82% |
| Onion (1kg) | 0.90 € | 1.12 € | +23.52% |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.80 € | 0.98 € | +23.34% |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | 0.84 € | 0.94 € | +12.17% |
Which city has expensive childcare facilities?
Though the government of the Netherlands provides a child allowance, upbringing babies as non-EU citizens is quite tough. From preschool to primary school, parents will have to gather a huge portion of their income here let alone another cost for their child.
Specifically, growing up or taking care of a child in Amsterdam will be more than 19% more costly compared to Rotterdam. However, the quality and opportunities here will be boundless.
The difference in Transportation costs between these two cities
Honestly speaking, the transportation in the Netherlands is clean, efficient, comfortable, and has modern facilities with a vibe of vintage. Anyone will love taking any of the public transport in any of the cities. As two of the most popular cities in this country, both of them will have a noticeable difference in the cost of transportation.
As like every other area of living calculation, this one will have the heaviest part on the side of Amsterdam by at least 24%. Only private transportation will have no or extremely little variation.
What will be the wage range, in Rotterdam Vs Amsterdam?
Last but not least discussion while calculating the living cost is the minimum wage of a city. To get the proper idea one must know how much they going to spend as well as how much they are going to earn.
Because if they are earning well then spending much will not be an issue. As we have already experienced the fact that Amsterdam is more expensive than Rotterdam, it is also a fact that the wage range in this city will be higher.
Specifically, Amsterdam will offer at least 12% higher salary than the other one. though, the government of this country has a similar minimum wage range, based on place and type of employment the income can be high or low.
| Salaries And Financing | Rotterdam | Amsterdam | Difference |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 3,102.35 € | 3,501.54 € | +12.87 % |
Is it possible to cut down the living cost at least a bit in Amsterdam and Rotterdam?
If you have already read the information above properly you must know that both of the city has high living standards. It can be impossible for many to maintain that standard. Mainly, for the family with only one person earning for the whole family.
So, one of the main keys to cutting down the overall living cost is choosing a place with lower rent. Because it is the biggest and most expensive expense in these cities. It will be wisest to choose a place outside the city in a cozy place.
It can be a little distance from the city center but the scenario and the environment of the area will be worth leaving the opportunities of living in the city. Besides that, all the other costs are mandatory but still one can stop eating outside to be more aware of the spending.
