City comparison

Amsterdam vs Edinburgh

Amsterdam scores higher on salary; Edinburgh has a lower cost of living. Compare Amsterdam and Edinburgh on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Amsterdam scores higher overall

Edinburgh would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

AmsterdamOverall fitEdinburgh
52 / 45+7 Amsterdam
AmsterdamSavingsEdinburgh
46 / 39+7 Amsterdam
AmsterdamCareerEdinburgh
73 / 58+15 Amsterdam
AmsterdamLow pressureEdinburgh
50 / 49+1 Amsterdam

If you want career growth

AmsterdamOverall fitEdinburgh
63 / 52+11 Amsterdam
AmsterdamSavingsEdinburgh
46 / 39+7 Amsterdam
AmsterdamCareerEdinburgh
73 / 58+15 Amsterdam
AmsterdamLow pressureEdinburgh
50 / 49+1 Amsterdam

If you want better balance

AmsterdamOverall fitEdinburgh
64 / 58+6 Amsterdam
AmsterdamSavingsEdinburgh
46 / 39+7 Amsterdam
AmsterdamCareerEdinburgh
73 / 58+15 Amsterdam
AmsterdamLow pressureEdinburgh
50 / 49+1 Amsterdam

Financial impact: moving from Amsterdam to Edinburgh

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$1,179
Monthly
-$14,148
1 year
-$42,444
3 years

Moving from Amsterdam to Edinburgh: trade-offs

You lose

-$1,179/mo estimated net reduction — $14,148 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city

Amsterdam

NL
Salary index
68
Cost index
74
Rent pressure
50
Opportunity
76

Edinburgh

GB
Salary index
50
Cost index
64
Rent pressure
51
Opportunity
62

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