🇫🇷 Paris vs 🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Amsterdam is 2% cheaper than Paris
Quick answer
Comparing Paris, France and Amsterdam, Netherlands: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,550 in Paris versus $2,500 in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is roughly 2% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,600/mo (Paris) vs $2,250/mo (Amsterdam). Estimates use World Bank PPP data + national statistics + (where available) item-level price snapshots.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,550/mo in Paris single person — rent + food + transport + utilities.
- Moderate budget: $2,500/mo in Amsterdam single person — like-for-like comparison.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,600/mo in Paris · $2,250/mo in Amsterdam.
- Cheaper overall: Amsterdam ~2% cheaper than Paris.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,800/mo | $1,750/mo | -3% |
| Moderate | $2,550/mo | $2,500/mo | -2% |
| Comfortable | $3,850/mo | $3,750/mo | -3% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,600/mo | $2,250/mo | +41% |
| Groceries & Food | $510/mo | $500/mo | -2% |
| Dining Out | $340/mo | $300/mo | -12% |
| Transport | $97/mo | $100/mo | +3% |
| Utilities & Internet | $255/mo | $250/mo | -2% |
| Healthcare | $204/mo | $200/mo | -2% |
| Leisure & Personal | $179/mo | $175/mo | -2% |
Housing (1-bed, center)
Paris
$1,600
Amsterdam
$2,250
Groceries & Food
Paris
$510
Amsterdam
$500
Dining Out
Paris
$340
Amsterdam
$300
Transport
Paris
$97
Amsterdam
$100
Utilities & Internet
Paris
$255
Amsterdam
$250
Healthcare
Paris
$204
Amsterdam
$200
Leisure & Personal
Paris
$179
Amsterdam
$175
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: INSEE (France), Eurostat / CBS (Netherlands), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (baguette) | $1 | $2 | +38% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Eggs (12) | $4 | $3 | -9% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $12 | $9 | -25% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | +22% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | -13% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $4 | $3 | -20% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $15 | $11 | -27% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | $16 | $15 | -7% |
| Fast food combo meal | $11 | $10 | -8% |
| Cappuccino | $4 | $4 | -13% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $8 | $5 | -29% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $2 | $1 | -35% |
Housing
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $1,400 | $1,700 | +21% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,106 | $1,200 | +8% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,800 | $2,800 | 0% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,800 | $2,000 | +11% |
Transport
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (Navigo) | $88 | $105 | +19% |
| Taxi start | $3 | $3 | +22% |
| Taxi per km | $1 | $2 | +109% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | +10% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $185 | $220 | +19% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $32 | $42 | +31% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $11 | $16 | +45% |
Clothing
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $90 | $90 | 0% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $38 | $95 | +150% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $40 | $38 | -5% |
| Cinema ticket | $13 | $14 | +8% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇫🇷 Paris | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $22 | $25 | +14% |
Quick Facts
🇫🇷 Paris
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,550
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,600/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.00
- Inexpensive meal
- $17.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $97
- Internet speed
- 200 Mbps
- Safety index
- 62/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 94/100
- Country
- France
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,500
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,250/mo
- Cappuccino
- $3.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $15.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $100
- Internet speed
- 130 Mbps
- Safety index
- 75/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 92/100
- Country
- Netherlands
Explore more: Paris city guide | Amsterdam city guide | France | Netherlands
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paris or Amsterdam cheaper to live in?
Amsterdam is approximately 2% cheaper than Paris overall.
How much does it cost to live in Paris per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Paris is approximately $2,550, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
How much does it cost to live in Amsterdam per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Amsterdam is approximately $2,500, including rent, food, transport, and utilities.
What is the rent difference between Paris and Amsterdam?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,600/month in Paris and $2,250/month in Amsterdam.