🇬🇧 London vs 🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Amsterdam is 12% cheaper than London
Quick answer
Comparing London, United Kingdom and Amsterdam, Netherlands: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $4,506 in London versus $3,975 in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is roughly 12% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $2,783/mo (London) vs $2,350/mo (Amsterdam). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $4,506/mo in London single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $3,975/mo in Amsterdam single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $2,783/mo in London · $2,350/mo in Amsterdam.
- Cheaper overall: Amsterdam ~12% cheaper than London.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3,150/mo | $2,800/mo | -11% |
| Moderate | $4,506/mo | $3,975/mo | -12% |
| Comfortable | $6,750/mo | $5,950/mo | -12% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $2,783/mo | $2,350/mo | -16% |
| Groceries & Food | $530/mo | $500/mo | -6% |
| Dining Out | $265/mo | $250/mo | -6% |
| Transport | $265/mo | $250/mo | -6% |
| Utilities & Internet | $265/mo | $250/mo | -6% |
| Healthcare | $212/mo | $200/mo | -6% |
| Leisure & Personal | $186/mo | $175/mo | -6% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
London
$2,783
Amsterdam
$2,350
Groceries & Food
London
$530
Amsterdam
$500
Dining Out
London
$265
Amsterdam
$250
Transport
London
$265
Amsterdam
$250
Utilities & Internet
London
$265
Amsterdam
$250
Healthcare
London
$212
Amsterdam
$200
Leisure & Personal
London
$186
Amsterdam
$175
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: ONS (UK), Eurostat / CBS (Netherlands), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $2 | +29% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -14% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | +7% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $8 | $9 | +13% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | +22% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | +4% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | 0% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $9 | $11 | +29% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (business district) | $17 | $15 | -8% |
| Fast food combo meal | $9 | $10 | +12% |
| Cappuccino | $4 | $4 | -14% |
| Beer (pint, pub) | $8 | $5 | -29% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $2 | $1 | -41% |
Housing
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $2,783 | $2,350 | -16% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $2,113 | $1,200 | -43% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $3,800 | $2,800 | -26% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $2,400 | $2,000 | -17% |
Transport
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (zones 1-2) | $190 | $105 | -45% |
| Taxi start | $4 | $3 | -25% |
| Taxi per km | $3 | $2 | -4% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | +16% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $240 | $220 | -8% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $38 | $42 | +11% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $19 | $16 | -16% |
Clothing
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $82 | $90 | +10% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $38 | $95 | +150% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $55 | $38 | -31% |
| Cinema ticket | $16 | $14 | -13% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇬🇧 London | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $25 | $25 | 0% |
Quick Facts
🇬🇧 London
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $4,506
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,783/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $15.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $227
- Internet speed
- 120 Mbps
- Safety index
- 68/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 91/100
- Country
- United Kingdom
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $3,975
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,350/mo
- Cappuccino
- $3.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $15.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $100
- Internet speed
- 130 Mbps
- Safety index
- 75/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 93/100
- Country
- Netherlands
Explore more: London city guide | Amsterdam city guide | United Kingdom | Netherlands
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is London or Amsterdam cheaper to live in?
Amsterdam is approximately 12% cheaper than London overall.
How much does it cost to live in London per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in London is approximately $4,506 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Amsterdam is approximately $3,975 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between London and Amsterdam?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $2,783/month in London and $2,350/month in Amsterdam.