Berlin vs Amsterdam on €100,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €100,000 a year, a single employee takes home €4,836 a month in Berlin (58% of gross) and €5,069 a month in Amsterdam (61%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Amsterdam is 34% more expensive than Berlin overall (cost-of-living index 61.2 vs 45.6, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €2,246 a month in Amsterdam and €1,270 in Berlin, which leaves €2,823 and €3,566 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €5,517 a month in Amsterdam — €448 a month more than this salary pays.
By category, groceries cost 12% more in Amsterdam than in Berlin, eating out 18% more and rent 55% more.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €23,593 a year in Berlin and €37,289 in Amsterdam; social contributions and other levies take €18,377 and €1,884.
Moving from abroad? With the 30% ruling, take-home pay in Amsterdam would be €6,430 a month — see who qualifies.
| Berlin | Amsterdam | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €100,000 | €100,000 |
| Income tax per year | €23,593 | €37,289 |
| Social contributions per year | €18,377 | €1,884 |
| Take-home pay per month | €4,836 | €5,069 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €1,270 | €2,246 |
| Left after rent | €3,566 | €2,823 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 45.6 | 61.2 |
How each figure is taxed: Germany tax calculator and Netherlands tax calculator; prices: cost of living in Berlin and in Amsterdam. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Berlin vs Amsterdam
Is Amsterdam, Netherlands more expensive than Berlin, Germany?
Amsterdam, Netherlands is 34% more expensive than Berlin, Germany overall. On a gross salary of €100,000 a year, you take home €4,836 a month in Berlin, Germany and €5,069 a month in Amsterdam, Netherlands after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Amsterdam, Netherlands vs Berlin, Germany?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Berlin, Germany and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €448 a month more than this salary leaves in Amsterdam, Netherlands, because of its 34% higher cost of living.
What taxes will I pay in Netherlands vs Germany?
On €100,000 gross a year you take home €4,836 a month in Germany and €5,069 a month in Netherlands. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.