- Cost of Living
- Netherlands
- United States
- Amsterdam
- Chicago
- Comparison
Cost of living comparison between Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Chicago (United States)
| Food | 28% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Amsterdam (Netherlands) is 28% more expensive than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | €19.78 ($25) | $12.41 | 105% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | €6.69 ($8.62) | $5.88 | 46% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | €4.08 ($5.26) | $4.14 | 27% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.12 ($1.45) | $2.38 | 39% |
| 12 eggs, large | €2.23 ($2.88) | $2.21 | 30% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.08 ($2.69) | $2.95 | 9% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €4.30 ($5.54) | $4.99 | 11% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €1.97 ($2.54) | $3.42 | 26% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | €2.26 ($2.92) | $3.43 | 15% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | €0.95 ($1.23) | $1.60 | 23% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €6.82 ($8.78) | $13.62 | 36% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | €1.96 ($2.53) | $1.55 | 64% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.37 ($1.76) | $1.96 | 10% |
| Housing | 32% | ||
| Housing in Amsterdam (Netherlands) is 32% more expensive than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | €1,660 ($2,139) | $1,516 | 41% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €134 ($172) | $103 | 68% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | €27 ($34) | $38 | 10% |
| 40” flat screen TV | €525 ($676) | $487 | 39% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | €174 ($224) | $86 | 161% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €5.30 ($6.83) | $6.99 | 2% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €12.15 ($15.65) | $22 | 30% |
| Clothes | 58% | ||
| Clothes in Amsterdam (Netherlands) is 58% more expensive than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | €97 ($125) | $46 | 175% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | €35 ($45) | $39 | 17% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | €84 ($108) | $63 | 71% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | €100 ($129) | $80 | 62% |
| Transportation | 41% | ||
| Transportation in Amsterdam (Netherlands) is 41% more expensive than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €28,613 ($36,859) | $21,808 | 69% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.78 ($2.29) | $1.04 | 119% |
| monthly ticket public transport | €85 ($110) | $89 | 23% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | €22 ($29) | $16.16 | 78% |
| Personal Care | 3% | ||
| Personal Care in Amsterdam (Netherlands) is 3% more expensive than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | €5.07 ($6.53) | $7.21 | 9% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | €3.39 ($4.37) | $5.77 | 24% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.43 ($3.13) | $3.21 | 3% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €3.09 ($3.98) | $4.09 | 3% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.74 ($2.24) | $2.99 | 25% |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.94 ($2.50) | $2.89 | 14% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €29 ($37) | $18.58 | 98% |
| Entertainment | 12% | ||
| Entertainment in Amsterdam (Netherlands) is 12% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €35 ($46) | $41 | 12% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €19.76 ($25) | $21 | 21% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €111 ($143) | $173 | 18% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | €61 ($78) | $98 | 20% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €8.08 ($10.41) | $11.03 | 6% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | €2.82 ($3.63) | $4.10 | 11% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | €2.56 ($3.29) | $4.77 | 31% |
| iPod nano 16GB | €147 ($190) | $117 | 62% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.20 ($0.26) | $0.51 | 50% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | €49 ($63) | $70 | 10% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | €5.58 ($7.19) | $10.58 | 32% |
| TOTAL | 25% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 7,793 prices entered by 765 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2013.
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