Amsterdam vs Lisbon on €70,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €70,000 a year, a single employee takes home €3,930 a month in Amsterdam (67% of gross) and €3,600 a month in Lisbon (62%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Lisbon is 36% cheaper than Amsterdam overall (cost-of-living index 45.6 vs 71.1, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €1,415 a month in Lisbon and €2,313 in Amsterdam, which leaves €2,185 and €1,617 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €2,143 a month in Lisbon: this salary leaves €1,458 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 32% less in Lisbon than in Amsterdam, eating out 31% less and rent 34% less.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €20,953 a year in Amsterdam and €19,094 in Lisbon; social contributions and other levies take €1,884 and €7,700.
Moving from abroad? Under IFICI, take-home pay in Lisbon would be €4,153 a month (see who qualifies).
| Amsterdam | Lisbon | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €70,000 | €70,000 |
| Income tax per year | €20,953 | €19,094 |
| Social contributions per year | €1,884 | €7,700 |
| Take-home pay per month | €3,930 | €3,600 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €2,313 | €1,415 |
| Left after rent | €1,617 | €2,185 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 71.1 | 45.6 |
How each figure is taxed: Netherlands tax calculator and Portugal tax calculator; prices: cost of living in Amsterdam and in Lisbon. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Amsterdam vs Lisbon
Is Lisbon, Portugal more expensive than Amsterdam, Netherlands?
Lisbon, Portugal is 36% cheaper than Amsterdam, Netherlands overall. On a gross salary of €70,000 a year, you take home €3,930 a month in Amsterdam, Netherlands and €3,600 a month in Lisbon, Portugal after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Lisbon, Portugal vs Amsterdam, Netherlands?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Amsterdam, Netherlands, you could save about €1,458 a month (€17,495 a year) in Lisbon, Portugal on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Portugal vs Netherlands?
On €70,000 gross a year you take home €3,930 a month in Netherlands and €3,600 a month in Portugal. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.