Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt (58% of gross) and €5,069 a month in Amsterdam (61%), after income tax and social security contributions.

Amsterdam is 35% more expensive than Frankfurt overall (cost-of-living index 71.1 vs 52.5, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €2,313 a month in Amsterdam and €1,170 in Frankfurt, which leaves €2,756 and €3,666 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €5,567 a month in Amsterdam: €498 a month more than this salary pays.

By category, groceries cost 17% more in Amsterdam than in Frankfurt, eating out 11% more and rent 63% more.

Of the gross salary, income tax takes €23,593 a year in Frankfurt 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).

Frankfurt 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€1,170€2,313
Left after rent€3,666€2,756
Cost-of-living index (New York = 100)52.571.1

How each figure is taxed: Germany tax calculator and Netherlands tax calculator; prices: in Amsterdam. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.

Questions about Frankfurt vs Amsterdam

Is Amsterdam, Netherlands more expensive than Frankfurt, Germany?

Amsterdam, Netherlands is 35% more expensive than Frankfurt, Germany overall. On a gross salary of €100,000 a year, you take home €4,836 a month in Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt, Germany?

Keeping the same standard of living as in Frankfurt, Germany and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €498 a month more than this salary leaves in Amsterdam, Netherlands, because of its 35% 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.