Cost of Living in Amsterdam
The city's 2025 housing survey puts the average basic rent in Amsterdam at €935 a month, before service charges and utilities. Households that moved recently pay €1,213. Unlimited GVB travel costs €129 a month in 2026.
This page covers what living in Amsterdam costs, using official figures only: rent from the city's own housing survey and CBS, public transport fares from GVB, and local taxes from the municipality. Where no official city figure exists, we leave the item out.
Rent in Amsterdam
Transport, local taxes and home prices in Amsterdam
Rent comes first
About 70% of Amsterdam homes are rented. Social rent makes up 46% of all homes, mostly owned by housing associations. Households that moved recently often end up in the high-rent segment: 34% of them, against 17% of the housing stock. They pay €1,213 on average, against €935 for all renters, and spend 32% of their income on rent. In July 2026, Amsterdam rents were 4.3% higher than a year earlier, the smallest rise of the 4 largest Dutch cities.
Buying a home
The average sale price was about €639,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025, close to the €637,000 of a year earlier. That is just over €8,700 per m². Owners paid an average gross mortgage cost of €1,214 a month in 2025.
Getting around
GVB runs the city's metro, trams and buses. GVB Vrij gives unlimited travel on all GVB lines for €129 a month in 2026. If you pay per trip, each journey costs a base fare of €1.16 plus €0.217 per km, and paying by bank card or phone caps the cost at €10.50 a day.
Local taxes
Every household pays a waste levy: €352 a year for 1 person and €469 for 2 or more in 2026. Owners also pay property tax of 0.0527% of the official home value and a sewer charge of €192.04. CBS does not publish a consumer price index for Amsterdam, so city inflation is not shown here. For pay levels, see average salary in Amsterdam.
Hiring in Amsterdam? Our Amsterdam guide covers pay, rent and employer costs, and the guide to hiring in the Netherlands covers the national rules. Need the right person? We place remote professionals across Europe, with a shortlist of 3 within 21 days. See how placement works.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and collective agreements can set different terms. Confirm with a local accountant or lawyer before you hire.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Amsterdam?
The average basic rent was €935 a month in 2025, according to the city's housing survey. Service charges and utilities come on top.
How much do newcomers pay for rent in Amsterdam?
Households that moved recently paid €1,213 a month on average in 2025. Homes in the high-rent segment averaged €1,787.
How fast are Amsterdam rents rising?
Rents in Amsterdam were 4.3% higher in July 2026 than a year earlier, according to CBS. The national rise was 4.4%.
How much is a monthly transport pass in Amsterdam?
GVB Vrij, with unlimited travel on all GVB metro, tram and bus lines, costs €129.00 a month for adults in 2026.
What local taxes do Amsterdam residents pay?
In 2026 the waste levy is €352 a year for 1 person and €469 for larger households. Home owners also pay property tax and a sewer charge.
Sources
- Gemeente Amsterdam, Onderzoek en Statistiek, Factsheet Wonen in Amsterdam 2025 (WiMRA 2025). Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- CBS, Housing rents up by an average of 4.4 percent, 4 Sep 2026. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- Gemeente Amsterdam, Onderzoek en Statistiek, Meer woningen verkocht in 2025, 20 Feb 2026. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- GVB, Rates 2026. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- GVB, GVB Vrij. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- GVB, GVB Max. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
- Gemeente Amsterdam, Belastingtarieven 2026. Checked 3 Nov 2026.
