Amsterdam vs Galway: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Galway costs roughly 9% less than Amsterdam. Amsterdam has significantly faster average internet speeds (151 Mbps vs 95 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Galway is approximately 18% less expensive than Amsterdam based on cost of living including rent. This makes Galway a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Galway has a FIRE Score of 67/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 88, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Galway is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a gorgeous but brutally expensive city, and the numbers back that up. A one-bedroom in the center will set you back $2,689/mo, and even outside the center you're looking at $2,000/mo, which makes the $4,799/mo average salary feel less impressive. The expat community is large and active, and the healthcare is excellent, but the cost of living index of 78/100 means you'll be paying Manhattan-lite prices for the privilege of cycling through drizzle. If you're a digital nomad, the 75/100 score and the Orientation Year Visa make it a tempting base, but your budget needs to be comfortable, not just survivable.
About Netherlands
Best for digital nomads with high income: the Netherlands offers a self-employment residency visa with a posted income floor of $1,713/month, but check the latest application details. Safety is top-tier with a 73.1 Safety Index and a US Travel Advisory Level 2, comparable to safe US metros. The trade-off: a progressive income tax up to 49.5% on local earnings, which can erode remote-work arbitrage gains.
$44/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Galway
Galway is a small city that punches well above its weight: 83 thousand people, an 82/100 expat score, and a safety index of 88/100 make it one of the easiest soft landings in Ireland. The catch is rent. A 1-bedroom in the city center runs $2,281/mo against an average local net salary of $2,886/mo, so unless you are remote or dual-income, the math gets ugly fast. Digital nomads and retirees will get the most out of it, though retirees should note the Stamp 0 income floor of $4,350/mo sits well above what most locals earn.
About Ireland
A city center 1BR at $1,776.90 a month rivals rents in Boston or DC, with no digital nomad visa available. Retirees need USD 4,350/mo proof of income, a real barrier at 20-40% progressive tax plus PRSI and USC. English fluency and a clear citizenship path help, but the math only works if your retirement income clears that bar comfortably.
$196/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Amsterdam | Galway |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2689.19 | $2281.46 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $2000.2 | $1935.54 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $4071 | $3632.14 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3057.03 | $2724.69 |
| Safety Index | N/A | 88 |
| Internet Speed | 150.7Mbps | 95Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Amsterdam | Galway |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $3,110/mo | $2,898/mo |
| Excluding rent | $1,110/mo | $962/mo |
| Rent | $2,000/mo | $1,936/mo |
| Groceries | $256/mo | $225/mo |
| Dining out | $224/mo | $224/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $147/mo | $136/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $367/mo | $315/mo |
| Transport | $116/mo | $62.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Amsterdam vs Galway -- Frequently Asked Questions
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