Amsterdam vs Berlin: Salary, Tax & Cost of Living for Expats (2025)
Amsterdam pays more and taxes less (especially with the 30% ruling). Berlin costs less and offers more space per euro. These two cities attract similar talent — tech workers, creatives, international hires — but the financial reality is strikingly different. Here's what the same salary actually gets you in each city.
Verdict: Amsterdam nets more on paper and wins on take-home for 30% ruling holders; Berlin wins on rent, lifestyle cost, and monthly surplus for most income levels without the ruling.
Expats qualifying for the 30% ruling, finance and tech hires, those prioritising net income
Remote workers, creatives, families needing more space, those prioritising lifestyle value
Salary & Monthly Surplus
Based on a €70,000 gross reference salary. Surplus = net monthly − 1-bed rent − transport − utilities.
| Metric | Amsterdam | Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Net annual (est.) | €44,000 | €40,500 |
| Net monthly | €3,667 | €3,375 |
| 1-bed rent (city centre) | €1,900 | €1,400 |
| Monthly transport pass | €102 | €86 |
| Utilities (85m²) | €225 | €250 |
| Est. monthly surplus | €1,440 | €1,639 |
Net salary estimated from city cost data. Surplus is indicative — personal spending varies. Methodology
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Item | Amsterdam | Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed (city centre) | €1900/mo | €1400/molower |
| 1-bed (outside centre) | €1450/mo | €1050/molower |
| Dinner for two | €65 | €55lower |
| Monthly transit pass | €102/mo | €86/molower |
| Utilities (85m²) | €225/molower | €250/mo |
| Internet | €45/mo | €40/molower |
| Latte | €4.5 | €4lower |
Amsterdam rents run €500–650/mo higher; Berlin nets €3,500 less per year before rent