Amsterdam vs Cape Town: cost of living for digital nomads
Amsterdam, Netherlands and Cape Town, South Africa, 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
- Cape Town is about 51% cheaper than Amsterdam for a month of nomad living ($1,600 vs $3,290).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Cape Town against $1,800 in Amsterdam.
- Amsterdam scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Amsterdam: 200 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Amsterdam is temperate; Cape Town is mediterranean.
Amsterdam wins 2 of the measured lines; Cape Town wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Cape Town?
Cape Town is cheaper: about $1,600/month against $3,290/month in Amsterdam, roughly 51% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Amsterdam or Cape Town?
Amsterdam scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Cape Town.
Which has faster internet, Amsterdam or Cape Town?
Amsterdam has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cape Town.
| Line | Amsterdam | Cape Town |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,290 | $1,600 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $720 |
| Food | $620 | $430 |
| Transport | $80 | $60 |
| Coworking | $230 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 80 |
| Climate | temperate | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
Compare Cape Town with
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, Cape Town November 10, 2026.