Cost of Living: Amsterdam vs Los Angeles (2026)

Netherlands vs United States — relocation comparison

TL;DRAmsterdam is safer — homicide rate 0.7 vs 7.5 per 100k. Amsterdam scores 9.0 vs 7.8 on democracy. You can get by in English in both — your Duolingo streak can wait.
67
Livability Score
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Netherlands
Full profile
57
Livability Score
🇺🇸 Los Angeles
United States
Full profile
Amsterdam scores 67 to Los Angeles's 57 on livability — the gap is real. Los Angeles has its charms, but the numbers favor Amsterdam.
💰
Cost of Living
Amsterdam
$236/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Amsterdam
0.7 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Amsterdam
9.0/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
20°C vs 28°C summers
Amsterdam
Metric
Los Angeles
$2602/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$2839/mo
$937/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$934/mo
$10,705
🧳
Cost to land
$9,290
0.7 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
7.5 / 100k
26 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
54 / 100
20°C
☀️
Summer high
28°C
1°C
❄️
Winter low
9°C
122 Mbps
Internet speed
176 Mbps
9.0 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
7.8 / 10
Very High (99/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (100/100)
$86k
💼
GDP per capita
$86k
3.3%
📈
Inflation
2.9%
67 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
57 / 100
94/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
83/100 — Mostly stable
97/100
🗽
Freedom House
80/100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

480
PISA
country avg
489
2
Intl schools
4
Yes (Dutch)
Public school
Yes (English)
Full pediatric coverage in basic insurance package
Pediatric care
CHIP covers children in low-income families; otherwise depends on employer plan
3–6 weeks
Specialist wait
2–6 weeks
$3031/mo
Childcare
full-day
$1745/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
fintechlogisticssemiconductorsagri-food-tech
Industries
entertainmenttechfashionbiotech
hub
Startup ecosystem
hub
94/100
Grid reliability
83/100
5 yrs
Time to PR
5 yrs
Easy
EU visa
Moderate
Complex
RU visa
Complex
Easy
UA visa
Moderate
Your partner can also work
Spouse works
⚠️ Your partner can exist, not earn

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 8% cheaper in Amsterdam ($2602/mo vs $2839/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Los Angeles (28°C vs 20°C).
  • Amsterdam is safer by homicide rate (0.7 vs 7.5 per 100k).
  • Amsterdam scores higher on democracy (9.0 vs 7.8 / 10 EIU).

Amsterdam vs Los Angeles — Common Questions

Is Amsterdam cheaper than Los Angeles?

Amsterdam is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $2602/month in Amsterdam vs $2839/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Amsterdam or Los Angeles?

Amsterdam is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Amsterdam has a rate of 0.73 per 100,000 and Los Angeles has 7.50 per 100,000.

Should I move to Amsterdam or Los Angeles?

Amsterdam scores 67 to Los Angeles's 57 on livability — the gap is real. Los Angeles has its charms, but the numbers favor Amsterdam. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Amsterdam or Los Angeles?

Amsterdam: Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant (complex process, Up to 5 years). Los Angeles: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Amsterdam or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is warmer in summer (28°C vs 20°C). Amsterdam has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.