Amsterdam vs Lisbon: Which City Is Better for Expats?
Amsterdam scores higher overall for expats, leading in 9 of 16 factors.
Updated April 2026
Factor Breakdown
| Metric | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam | 🇵🇹 Lisbon | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life | 89 | 64 | Amsterdam |
| Safety | 79 | 71 | Amsterdam |
| Healthcare | 87 | 70 | Amsterdam |
| Climate | 86 | 98 | Lisbon |
| Pollution | 88 | 71 | Amsterdam |
| Nightlife | 72 | 71 | Too close to call |
| English Spoken | 99 | 97 | Too close to call |
| Foreigner Friendly | 94 | 73 | Amsterdam |
| Expat Community | 43 | 77 | Lisbon |
| Family Friendly | 64 | 45 | Amsterdam |
| LGBTQ+ Safety | 99 | 95 | Amsterdam |
| Coworking Spaces | 91 | 94 | Too close to call |
| Startup Ecosystem | 48 | 53 | Lisbon |
| Property Affordability | 84 | 63 | Amsterdam |
| LGBTQ+ Friendliness | 82 | 77 | Amsterdam |
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Amsterdam | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 82.6 | 54.2 |
| Rent | 60 | 38.6 |
| Groceries | 71.5 | 50.1 |
| Restaurants | 91.8 | 53.1 |
| Purchasing Power | 129.9 | 60.9 |
Based on aggregated cost-of-living data from multiple public sources, 2026. Index relative to New York City (100).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amsterdam or Lisbon cheaper to live in?
Lisbon is more affordable, scoring 38 vs 64 on our cost of living index (higher = more affordable). This accounts for rent, groceries, restaurants, and overall purchasing power.
Which city is safer, Amsterdam or Lisbon?
Amsterdam scores higher on safety at 79 vs 71. This factors in crime rates, personal safety perceptions, and walking-alone-at-night metrics.
Is English widely spoken in Amsterdam and Lisbon?
Amsterdam/Lisbon rates higher for English speakers (99 vs 97). Scores reflect how easily you can get by day-to-day in English, based on expat community reports.
Which city has better nightlife, Amsterdam or Lisbon?
Amsterdam/Lisbon edges out on nightlife with a score of 72 vs 71, based on aggregated nightlife and entertainment ratings.
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How we compare cities
City scores are normalized to 0-100 from multiple publicly available datasets covering cost of living, safety, healthcare, climate, quality of life, pollution, property prices, commute times, nightlife, English proficiency, expat friendliness, and LGBTQ+ friendliness.