Amsterdam vs Zurich: cost of living for digital nomads
Amsterdam, Netherlands and Zurich, Switzerland, 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 22% cheaper than Zurich for a month of nomad living ($3,290 vs $4,240).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,800 in Amsterdam against $2,300 in Zurich.
- Zurich scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Zurich: 250 Mbps typical against 200 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Amsterdam wins 6 of the measured lines; Zurich wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Zurich?
Amsterdam is cheaper: about $3,290/month against $4,240/month in Zurich, roughly 22% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Amsterdam or Zurich?
Zurich scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Amsterdam.
Which has faster internet, Amsterdam or Zurich?
Zurich has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 200 Mbps in Amsterdam.
| Line | Amsterdam | Zurich |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,290 | $4,240 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $2,300 |
| Food | $620 | $850 |
| Transport | $80 | $110 |
| Coworking | $230 | $280 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 250 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| 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, Zurich September 11, 2026.