Caught in a dilemma between the allure of London and the captivating charm of Amsterdam?
London, as a dynamic global city, offers a fast-paced lifestyle, diverse cultural experiences, and endless career opportunities. On the other hand, Amsterdam, with its relaxed atmosphere and picturesque canals, boasts a vibrant art scene and a high quality of life.
Both cities have their own unique appeal, so it’s important to consider your personal preferences and priorities. To assist you in making a choice, we’ve conducted a detailed comparison of the two.
Cost of living in London vs. Amsterdam
| London surpasses Amsterdam in terms of the cost of living, with an average monthly expense of £3,161 compared to Amsterdam’s (converted value of) £1,481.25. This translates to London being 113.34% more expensive than Amsterdam, prominently reflected in housing, utilities, transportation, and childcare expenditures. |
We obtained data from LivingCost.org to determine the average monthly living costs in both London and Amsterdam.
The table presented below presents a comprehensive overview of the expenses associated with residing in these cities, facilitating a more in-depth examination of the calculations.
| Expenses | London Cost | Amsterdam Cost |
| Housing (Average Rent per Month) | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment (downtown) | £1,557 | £1,182 |
| Cheap 1-bedroom apartment | £1,132 | £1,182 |
| 3-bedroom apartment (downtown) | £2,880 | £2,025 |
| Cheap 3-bedroom apartment | £1,962 | £1,536 |
| Utilities (Average Monthly Bill) | ||
| Utility bill for one person | £139 | £129 |
| Utility bill for a family | £213 | £199 |
| Internet plan | £27.3 | £37.3 |
| Transportation (Fare) | ||
| 1-way ticket (local transport ticket) | £2.51 | £2.76 |
| Monthly pass (local transport ticket) | £119 | £76.6 |
| Taxi Start (normal tariff) | £18.2 | £21.5 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | £1.66 | £1.8 |
| Childcare (Tuition Fee) | ||
| Private Preschool/Kindergarten (full day) | £1,488 per month | £1,287 |
| International Primary School | £17,374 per year | £9,144 |
In conclusion, Amsterdam offers a cost of living that is 53.13% lower than London, mainly due to factors such as more affordable rental prices, reduced utility expenses, and lower transportation fees.
Real Estate Prices in London vs. Amsterdam
| London’s real estate prices are higher compared to Amsterdam. As of the current market data from Zoopla and Brxs, single-family homes in London are approximately 151% pricier than in Amsterdam. In contrast, condos in Amsterdam are priced 6.42% lower than in London. |
To delve deeper into this comparison, refer to the table below, which highlights the intriguing contrast in average sold prices for single-family homes and condo apartments in these two unique cities.
| Property Type | London | Amsterdam |
| Single-Family Home | £1,325,555 | £523,028 |
| Condo Apartment | £489,303 | £523,028 |
Diversity and Demographics in London vs. Amsterdam
| London’s racial composition boasts a higher percentage of visible minorities, accounting for 46.2% of the population, in contrast to Amsterdam where visible minorities make up 24.3% of the population. |
London’s prominence is evident through its expansive geographic area, larger population, and higher life expectancy at birth.
These disparities highlight the unique qualities of each region, accentuating the diversity and disparities between the two cities.
| London | Amsterdam | |
| Geographic Location | Greater London, England | North Holland, Netherlands |
| Size (Area) | 1,572 km square kilometres | 219 square kilometres |
| Population | 9,648,000 | 1,174,000 |
| Female Population | 50.6 % | 53.6% |
| Male Population | 49.4% | 46.4% |
| Median Age | 35.9 years old | 42.4 years old |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 82.8 years old | 79.25 years old |
On the other hand, London is considered more diverse than Amsterdam due to its higher proportion of non-white residents.
| Racial Composition | London | Racial Composition | Amsterdam | |
| White | 53.8% | White | 75.7% | |
| Asian | 20.8% | Asian | 11.6% | |
| Black | 13.5% | Black | 4.5% | |
| Mixed | 4.6% | Mixed | 3.5% | |
| Arab | 1.6% | Arab | 2.8% | |
| Other | 4.7% | Other | 1.9% |
Career Opportunities in London vs. Amsterdam
| Sourced data from Statista and Trading Economics, shows that Amsterdam offers more job opportunities than London. In fact, the employment rate in London is a mere 76.2%, compared to Amsterdam’s 82.20%. |
Notably, the average annual salary in London stands at £33,825, whereas it amounts to £44,280.89 in Amsterdam.
This comparison highlights Amsterdam’s superior performance in terms of both employment rate and average annual salary, surpassing London as an attractive place for jobseekers.
Crime and Safety in London vs. Amsterdam
| Based on the data from Statista and NLTIMES it’s safer to live in Amsterdam than in London. The crime rate in London is at 8.66%, while in Amsterdam, it’s at 7.22%. London exhibits a higher crime rate per capita than Amsterdam, potentially due to variations in socioeconomic conditions, population density, law enforcement efforts, and regional dynamics. |
Amsterdam secures the 6th position as one of the safest cities globally, as reported by Go Visa Free. However, it is important to acknowledge that London, despite experiencing higher crime rates, still maintains to be a safe city, indicating that it is not inherently unsafe.
For a breakdown of details, see the table below:
| City | Population | Crime total | Crime rate per 100,000 people | Crime rate (%) |
| London | 9,648,000 | 835,822 | 8,663 | 8.66% |
| Amsterdam | 1,174,000 | 84,793 | 7,222 | 7.22% |
In order to offer additional insights, we have obtained data from Numbeo to depict the perceived relative crime levels between London and Amsterdam.
Bear in mind that the information presented below relies on survey data and may fluctuate as more participants contribute over time.
| Type of Crime | London | Amsterdam |
| People using or dealing drugs | 61.62% | 43.75% |
| Property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 57.48% | 37.22% |
| Violent crimes such as assault or armed robbery | 56.87% | 26.79% |
| Corruption and bribery | 38.30% | 20.69% |
Lifestyle in London vs. Amsterdam
| London and Amsterdam are both rich in history, culture, and safety, offering a captivating blend of tradition and modernity. With iconic landmarks and hidden gems, these multicultural cities provide endless recreational opportunities, immersing residents and visitors in their remarkable allure. |
For a comprehensive overview of the lifestyles offered in both cities, explore the in-depth comparison across factors including weather, recreational activities, and healthcare, enabling a deeper understanding of the unique experiences each city presents.
Weather in London vs. Amsterdam
Both London and Amsterdam have similar weather patterns. These cities have summers that are comfortable and partly cloudy and the winters are long, very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy.
London has a moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 23°C throughout the year. It is uncommon for temperatures to fall below -1°C or exceed 29°C.
On the other hand, Amsterdam experiences temperature fluctuations between 1°C and 22°C throughout the year, with infrequent occurrences of dropping below -6°C or exceeding 27°C/
Things to do in London vs. Amsterdam
London and Amsterdam offer distinct experiences with a wide range of activities.
In London, you can explore iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, visit vibrant markets like Camden Market, take a stroll in beautiful parks like Kensington Gardens, and shop at luxury stores on Oxford Street.
In contrast, Amsterdam offers a unique charm with its picturesque canals and historic architecture. Here you can visit renowned museums like the Van Gogh Museum, discover the famous Anne Frank House and visit the vibrant Albert Cuyp Market.
Healthcare in London vs. Amsterdam
Both London and Amsterdam offer excellent healthcare services, but Amsterdam outshines London in terms of healthcare quality. According to Numbeo data, Amsterdam boasts a healthcare index of 75.96%, surpassing London’s index of 69.81%.
| London | Paris | |
| Skill and competency of medical staff | 69% | 77.46% |
| Speed in completing examinations and reports | 65.91% | 74.76% |
| Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment | 82.34% | 91.34% |
| Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports | 67.75% | 78.90% |
| Friendliness and courtesy of the staff | 72.44% | 79.88% |
| Responsiveness (waiting in medical institutions) | 43.56% | 67.30% |
| Satisfaction with Cost | 79.02% | 64.86% |
| Convenience of location | 79.30% | 84.27% |
London and Amsterdam both have excellent healthcare systems.
Just keep in mind that London’s NHS is free at the point of use but can have long waiting times. On the other hand, Amsterdam’s compulsory health insurance scheme means no waiting times, but it can be expensive for private care.
London vs. Amsterdam: How they stack up
Now, the time has come to weigh the factors we’ve explored. Here are the winners for each category.
| Factors | The Better City | Why |
| Cost of Living | Amsterdam | The living cost in Amsterdam is 53.13% cheaper than in London |
| Real Estate | Amsterdam | The average prices for real estate properties in Amsterdam are significantly lower than in London. |
| Diversity and Demographics | London | Both cities have relatively high diversity, but overall, the London population has a higher percentage of visible minorities. |
| Career Opportunities | Amsterdam | Amsterdam has a more favourable job landscape and a lower unemployment rate. |
| Crime Index | Amsterdam | The crime index in Amsterdam is lower than in London. |
| Lifestyle | Tied (depends on what kind of lifestyle you prefer) | London and Amsterdam almost have the same type of climate. Both cities have iconic landmarks that enable you to do various activities. On top of this, both Healthcare services in London and Paris are off the charts. |
