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Amsterdam
#87 of 124
Europe

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Amsterdam compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Amsterdam is 54% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Amsterdam compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$111,200
-$161K (-59%) vs San Francisco
Based on 1065 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$65,330
-$107K (-62%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 41%

Community Insights

New

Amsterdam offers a premier European lifestyle for software engineers, blending a robust tech scene with an emphasis on work-life balance rather than the "hustle culture" of US hubs. The city is a haven for those who value cyclability, safety (ranked #21 globally), and travel connectivity. However, the experience is heavily gatekept by the housing market, which is ranked poorly for affordability (#85). Financially, it is attractive primarily for senior talent qualifying for the 30% tax ruling, which offsets the otherwise high cost of living and tax rates. While the salary ceiling is lower than in the US or Switzerland, the quality of life is consistently rated high by those who can secure a home.

Resident Sentiment

Most software engineers express high satisfaction with the day-to-day lifestyle, praising the freedom from cars and the relaxed work culture. However, a significant portion expresses anxiety and frustration regarding the housing market, with some considering leaving solely because they cannot buy a home. Long-term retention is often tied to the 30% ruling; many residents plan to re-evaluate their stay once their tax advantage expires. While the social scene is vibrant, it is predominantly expat-focused, with many residents resigning themselves to having few close Dutch friends.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Community Events

Top 3%

#4

of 124 cities

26 events on luma

Current value

Pollution Score

Top 6%

#8

of 124 cities

22.7/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Top 16%

#20

of 124 cities

74.3/100

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Amsterdam compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$9,005 / m²
10% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Amsterdam to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
18% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Amsterdam

Facebook logo
Facebook
Uber logo
Uber
IMC logo
IMC

The Good

  • Work-life balance is deeply ingrained, with 36-40 hour work weeks, minimal overtime culture, and generous vacation days being the norm.
  • English proficiency is exceptionally high; you can live, work, and socialize entirely in English without needing to learn Dutch immediately.
  • World-class cycling infrastructure makes commuting cheap, healthy, and often faster than driving or public transport.
  • Travel connectivity is superior, with Schiphol Airport and high-speed trains providing easy access to London, Paris, Berlin, and the rest of Europe.
  • The 30% Ruling tax break (though recently reduced to a 30%-20%-10% scale over 5 years) still provides a significant net income boost for qualifying expats in their first few years.
  • A strong tech ecosystem featuring major hubs for companies like Uber, Booking.com, Adyen, and Databricks, alongside a vibrant startup scene.

The Bad

  • The housing crisis is the number one complaint; finding an apartment is extremely difficult, competitive, and expensive, often requiring overbidding or employer assistance.
  • Weather is frequently described as gloomy, gray, and rainy, leading to complaints about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and a lack of sunshine.
  • Healthcare system frustrations are common among expats who dislike the "paracetamol and wait" approach of GP gatekeepers preventing direct specialist access.
  • Social integration with locals is notoriously difficult; the "Dutch circle" is hard to break into, leaving many expats in international bubbles.
  • High taxes become a significant burden once the 30% ruling decreases or expires, with marginal rates reaching nearly 50%.
  • Cost of living is high relative to salaries (outside of the tax ruling benefit), particularly for groceries, dining out, and mandatory health insurance.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Mid-to-Senior Engineers who meet the salary threshold for the 30% ruling and prioritize a stress-free work environment over maximizing savings.

Families and couples looking for a safe, walkable, and bike-friendly environment with excellent English infrastructure.

Travel enthusiasts who want a central European base with easy access to other major capital cities.

Skip it if...

Junior engineers or those earning below the 30% ruling threshold (approx. €46k taxable), as the high cost of living and rent will leave little disposable income.

Sun-seekers or individuals prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder, as the long, gray, wet winters can be mentally taxing.

Aggressive savers or "FIRE" (Financial Independence, Retire Early) chasers expecting US-level compensation; the salary-to-cost ratio is lower here.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather3.6/10-59% vs San Francisco
Safety74+89%
Pollution23-54%
Events26-49%
3.6/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
13°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
7°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
1,662h/yr-1400h/yr(-46%)
Hottest Month High
21°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
1°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
108/yr+59/yr(+122%)

Community & Quality

Amsterdam community pulse

Amsterdam has 26 Luma events listed.

49% fewer events than San Francisco.

Net Income

Middle of the pack

#48

of 124 cities

$65,330/yr

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Middle of the pack

#82

of 124 cities

36/100 weather score

Current value

Home Affordability

Bottom 32%

#85

of 124 cities

≈11 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Purchasing Power

Bottom 31%

#87

of 124 cities

Cost of Living

Bottom 13%

#109

of 124 cities

73/100

Current value (lower is better)

Tax Rate

Bottom 3%

#121

of 124 cities

41%

Current value (lower is better)

SWE Affordability
11.0 years
6.4 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
2/yr(same as San Francisco)
Cloud Cover
56%(vs 34% in San Francisco)