Amsterdam vs New York: cost of living for digital nomads
Amsterdam, Netherlands and New York, 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 27% cheaper than New York for a month of nomad living ($3,290 vs $4,530).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,800 in Amsterdam against $2,600 in New York.
- Amsterdam scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in New York: 250 Mbps typical against 200 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Amsterdam wins 6 of the measured lines; New York wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or New York?
Amsterdam is cheaper: about $3,290/month against $4,530/month in New York, roughly 27% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Amsterdam or New York?
Amsterdam scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for New York.
Which has faster internet, Amsterdam or New York?
New York has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 200 Mbps in Amsterdam.
| Line | Amsterdam | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,290 | $4,530 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $2,600 |
| Food | $620 | $800 |
| Transport | $80 | $130 |
| Coworking | $230 | $300 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 250 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
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, New York September 11, 2026.