🇮🇹 Milan vs 🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Milan is 23% cheaper than Amsterdam
Quick answer
Comparing Milan, Italy and Amsterdam, Netherlands: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $3,076 in Milan versus $3,975 in Amsterdam. Milan is roughly 23% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,613/mo (Milan) 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: $3,076/mo in Milan 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 $1,613/mo in Milan · $2,350/mo in Amsterdam.
- Cheaper overall: Milan ~23% cheaper than Amsterdam.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2,150/mo | $2,800/mo | +30% |
| Moderate | $3,076/mo | $3,975/mo | +29% |
| Comfortable | $4,600/mo | $5,950/mo | +29% |
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 | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,613/mo | $2,350/mo | +46% |
| Groceries & Food | $450/mo | $500/mo | +11% |
| Dining Out | $225/mo | $250/mo | +11% |
| Transport | $225/mo | $250/mo | +11% |
| Utilities & Internet | $225/mo | $250/mo | +11% |
| Healthcare | $180/mo | $200/mo | +11% |
| Leisure & Personal | $158/mo | $175/mo | +11% |
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)
Milan
$1,613
Amsterdam
$2,350
Groceries & Food
Milan
$450
Amsterdam
$500
Dining Out
Milan
$225
Amsterdam
$250
Transport
Milan
$225
Amsterdam
$250
Utilities & Internet
Milan
$225
Amsterdam
$250
Healthcare
Milan
$180
Amsterdam
$200
Leisure & Personal
Milan
$158
Amsterdam
$175
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: ISTAT (Italy), Eurostat / CBS (Netherlands), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $2 | $2 | +20% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -8% |
| Eggs (12) | $4 | $3 | -9% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $10 | $9 | -5% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza margherita | $10 | $15 | +55% |
| Risotto alla milanese (trattoria) | $14 | $10 | -29% |
| Espresso (bar) | $1 | $4 | +192% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $5 | +218% |
| Aperol spritz | $8 | $1 | -83% |
Housing
| Item | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (Brera/Navigli) | $1,613 | $2,350 | +46% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,148 | $1,200 | +5% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,500 | $2,800 | +12% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,500 | $2,000 | +33% |
Transport
| Item | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (ATM) | $42 | $105 | +150% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $3 | +69% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $180 | $220 | +22% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $28 | $42 | +50% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $45 | $38 | -16% |
| Cinema ticket | $11 | $14 | +27% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇮🇹 Milan | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $18 | $25 | +39% |
Quick Facts
🇮🇹 Milan
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $3,076
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,613/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.60
- Inexpensive meal
- $13.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $42
- Internet speed
- 110 Mbps
- Safety index
- 68/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 100/100
- Country
- Italy
🇳🇱 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: Milan city guide | Amsterdam city guide | Italy | Netherlands
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milan or Amsterdam cheaper to live in?
Milan is approximately 23% cheaper than Amsterdam overall.
How much does it cost to live in Milan per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Milan is approximately $3,076 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 Milan and Amsterdam?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,613/month in Milan and $2,350/month in Amsterdam.