Amsterdam vs Sydney: cost of living for digital nomads
Amsterdam, Netherlands and Sydney, Australia, 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
- Sydney is about 3% cheaper than Amsterdam for a month of nomad living ($3,200 vs $3,290).
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Amsterdam: 200 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Amsterdam wins 3 of the measured lines; Sydney wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Sydney?
Sydney is cheaper: about $3,200/month against $3,290/month in Amsterdam, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Amsterdam or Sydney?
Amsterdam and Sydney score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Amsterdam or Sydney?
Amsterdam has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Sydney.
| Line | Amsterdam | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,290 | $3,200 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Food | $620 | $600 |
| Transport | $80 | $120 |
| Coworking | $230 | $300 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 50 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Sydney
High cost, high quality of life; large expat and startup scene.
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, Sydney November 5, 2026.