Amsterdam once again the most attractive city to live in the Netherlands, but only 42nd in broad prosperity: 'Give me Amstelveen instead?'

According to the Atlas voor gemeenten 2026, Amsterdam has been named the most attractive city in the Netherlands to live in. This ranking, based on housing prices and factors like cultural amenities, job opportunities, and accessibility, places Amsterdam ahead of Amstelveen, Leiden, and Utrecht. The analysis considers how desirable a location is to outsiders, reflecting high demand despite issues such as density and costs.

However, when assessing broad welfare—which includes health, safety, social cohesion, and work-life balance—Amsterdam ranks significantly lower at 42nd out of the 50 largest municipalities. While the city performs well in employment and education, it struggles with safety and maintaining a healthy work-life balance compared to the rest of the country. In contrast, neighboring Amstelveen ranks tenth in broad welfare, suggesting that residents can benefit from the economic advantages of the capital while enjoying a higher quality of life elsewhere.