When compared with much of the rest of Western Europe, The Netherlands can be an affordable place to live as an expatriate. Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands, was rated as the 25th most expensive city in a recent global expatriate cost of living survey. In this survey, prices were found to be lower in Amsterdam than in several European capitals, including London, Copenhagen, Paris and Rome, as well as eight percent lower than in New York, the most expensive city in North America.

Salaries in the Netherlands are moderate but as with the rest of Western Europe, social charges are high. An electrical engineer with five years of experience can expect to earn 54,600 USD in gross annual wages for an average 39-hour workweek, but 33,100 USD after taxes. Experienced corporate department managers average 82,600 USD in gross annual wages for an average 39-hour workweek, but 47,000 USD after taxes.