Can I Afford to Live in Amsterdam vs Medellín on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Amsterdam, NL
$6,000/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (30% of take-home)
Manageable
Medellín, CO
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (6% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Amsterdam
NL
Medellín
CO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,000
$8,944Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,800
$500Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$150Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$110
$55Best ✓
Internet
$40
$30Best ✓
Left after essentials
$3,520/month
$7,829/month
Medellín (Antioquia) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Amsterdam (NL rate: 31%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Amsterdam?

At $150K/year in Amsterdam, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,000. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 30% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $150K a good salary in Medellín?

At $150K/year in Medellín, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 6% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Medellín leaves you with more money after core expenses — $7,829/month vs $3,520/month in Amsterdam.

Can I afford to live alone in Amsterdam on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Amsterdam, rent takes 30% of your take-home, leaving $3,520/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Amsterdam vs Medellín

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only