| | Berlin | Amsterdam | | WG room | 600 to 900 EUR | 800 to 1,200+ EUR | | Semester transit | ~300 EUR fee incl. ticket | OV chipkaart, pay per ride | | Monthly food (cooking) | ~250 EUR | ~300 EUR | | Tuition (public uni) | ~0 | ~2,500 EUR/year EU, higher non-EU |
Berlin wins on price in every row. Amsterdam wins on English-friendliness and bikeability, and its housing crisis is worse than Berlin's, which is saying something. Sources: Numbeo Cost of Living Food culture: Berlin runs on doner kebabs (5 EUR) and Spatkauf beer. Amsterdam runs on 4 EUR fries and expensive everything else. Both cities cook at home or go broke; pick your expensive habit accordingly.
