Amsterdam vs Reykjavik: cost of living for digital nomads
Amsterdam, Netherlands and Reykjavik, Iceland, 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
- Reykjavik is about 1% cheaper than Amsterdam for a month of nomad living ($3,250 vs $3,290).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,600 in Reykjavik against $1,800 in Amsterdam.
- Reykjavik scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Reykjavik: 220 Mbps typical against 200 Mbps.
- Amsterdam is temperate; Reykjavik is continental.
Amsterdam wins 2 of the measured lines; Reykjavik wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik is cheaper: about $3,250/month against $3,290/month in Amsterdam, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Amsterdam or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Amsterdam.
Which has faster internet, Amsterdam or Reykjavik?
Reykjavik has faster typical internet: 220 Mbps against 200 Mbps in Amsterdam.
| Line | Amsterdam | Reykjavik |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,290 | $3,250 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $1,600 |
| Food | $620 | $750 |
| Transport | $80 | $80 |
| Coworking | $230 | $220 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 220 |
| Climate | temperate | continental |
| City size | metro | mid |
| 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, Reykjavik September 10, 2026.