Amsterdam vs Boston: cost of living for digital nomads
Amsterdam, Netherlands and Boston, United States, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Amsterdam is about 19% cheaper than Boston for a month of nomad living ($3,290 vs $4,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,800 in Amsterdam against $2,300 in Boston.
- Amsterdam scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Boston: 250 Mbps typical against 200 Mbps.
- Amsterdam is temperate; Boston is continental.
Amsterdam wins 7 of the measured lines; Boston wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Boston?
Amsterdam is cheaper: about $3,290/month against $4,050/month in Boston, roughly 19% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Amsterdam or Boston?
Amsterdam scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Boston.
Which has faster internet, Amsterdam or Boston?
Boston has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 200 Mbps in Amsterdam.
| Line | Amsterdam | Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,290 | $4,050 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $2,300 |
| Food | $620 | $740 |
| Transport | $80 | $100 |
| Coworking | $230 | $260 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 250 |
| Climate | temperate | continental |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Amsterdam September 10, 2026, Boston September 11, 2026.