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Compared to some other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable.

As the bare minimum, a single person needs at least €992 per month (around $1,085 US dollars) or €11,904 per year to cover living expenses in Germany as of 2024.

If you’re a family of four, you can expect to spend an average of €3,203 per month (around $3,479 US dollars), excluding rent.

Your expenses will naturally be higher if you’re in a pricier city or if you like to splurge on non-essential items.

As you read further, we will cover the cheapest and most expensive regions, cost of accommodation, food, transportation, and other important expenses in different German cities. You’ll also find a side-by-side comparison of German prices versus the United States and India.

Which Region Has the Highest Cost of Living in Germany?

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The South of Germany Is the Most Expensive: Munich & Stuttgart

Generally speaking, the south of Germany is the most expensive region in Germany in terms of living costs. Two major cities in this region, Munich and Stuttgart are the most expensive to live in.

For example, the average rental one-bedroom apartment in Stuttgart will cost you €1,023. A similar apartment in the northern German city of Bremen costs €687 on average.

Percentage-wise, this means that renting an apartment in Bremen is 30% cheaper than in Stuttgart.

Berlin Remains Cheaper Than Other European Capitals

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is getting more and more expensive to live in due to the . The average cost of renting a small one-bedroom apartment in the city is currently about €1,321 per month.

Berlin is still more affordable than many other major European capitals, though. Rent prices here are 11.9% lower than in Paris, 47.7% lower than in London, and 20.0% lower than in Amsterdam.

Leipzig and Dresden Among the Most Affordable in Germany

Other eastern German cities around Berlin are mostly cheaper than their counterparts in the south. Leipzig and Dresden are, in fact, some of the most affordable cities to live in Germany.

For example, rent in Leipzig is cheaper than in Stuttgart by over 33%. Rent in Dusseldorf is also 33.3% cheaper than in Stuttgart. Whereas, prices in Stuttgart and the biggest city in the north, Hamburg are pretty similar.

The Priciest Cities Within Each Zone: A Comparison

Another way to compare the cost of living in different German regions is by looking at the most expensive cities in each zone.

Let’s compare some typical expenses to get a clearer picture:

Based on this comparison, Munich is the most expensive city in the majority of categories, followed by Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt.

However, the biggest chunk of monthly expenses for the average German goes to rent. In this category, Frankfurt is more expensive than Hamburg, despite being more affordable in other aspects.

In terms of major expenses, rent being the biggest, German regions rank as follows from the most expensive to least expensive:

1. South (Munich)
2. East (Berlin)
3. West (Frankfurt)
4. North (Hamburg)

But, Each Region Has Its Affordable Options…

Just like in most places of the world, bigger cities are usually more expensive in Germany. Within each region, you can find many other cities with more affordable living costs.

• For example, rent prices in the western German city of Paderborn are 44.4% lower than in Frankfurt.
• Up north, Bremen is much cheaper in comparison to Hamburg. Rent in Bremen is around 34.9% lower.
• In eastern Germany’s Dresden, rent is a staggering 50.4% cheaper than in Berlin.
• Ingolstadt in the south is very budget-friendly compared to the expensive Munich, where rent prices are 40.6% higher.

There’s something for everyone in Germany, be it international students, temporary workers, and residents alike. You should, however, factor in that smaller cities might have fewer job opportunities compared to metropolitan areas.

What Is the Average Rent in Germany?

Renting an apartment in Germany can range from €567 per month in cheaper cities like Aachen and Paderborn, up to €1,398 in Munich. Taking into account all major cities, the average rent across Germany is around €827 per month (see list below).

When we label a particular place as an expensive one to live in, rent is the biggest factor. This is why bigger cities such as Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt are considered more expensive than Aachen or Dresden.

Location and size also make a difference in rent costs. For example, if you’re eyeing a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city, rent can cost anywhere from €520 to €1,500. If you want a bigger, fully furnished place in the same area, you’ll be paying even more. The average rent for these can cost from €1,000 to €2,500 per month.

Many people in Germany choose to live further from city centers to save on rent. A one-bedroom apartment in these areas will cost you from €400 to €1,130 per month.

Take a look at the average rent in German cities, from the cheapest to the most expensive:

Important note: The rental prices above are given for a one-bedroom apartment located in the center of the city.

How Much Do Utilities Cost in Germany?

Besides rent, you need to budget for the monthly costs of garbage, water, energy, and heating. In Germany, these are called “Nebenkosten”, and are sometimes calculated as a

The price of electricity in Germany is quite high, at approximately €0.4125 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for households. So, you have to be mindful of your consumption. If you live with housemates or a partner, splitting the costs makes it far more manageable.

Here are the average costs for utilities and other household expenses in Germany:

• Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage). For an 85m² apartment, you can expect to spend around €272.65 monthly for electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection. Costs can range from €170.00 to €425.00 depending on your consumption.
• Phone plans. A monthly mobile phone plan that includes calls and 10GB or more of data costs roughly €32.19. Depending on the plan and provider you select, monthly costs might vary from €12 to €39.95.
• Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, Cable/ADSL). High-speed internet will cost you €43.18 per month on average. You can find plans starting from €30, but the cost varies depending on the provider and plan.

How Much Does Dining Out Cost in Germany?

Dining out at German restaurants can be pricey. A meal for two people at mid-range spots like Bavarian beer gardens or Italian joints may cost you an average of €60. So, if your cooking skills aren’t up to par, it’s time to start learning, especially if you’re looking to save money in Germany.

However, Germany’s dining scene has something for everyone’s wallet. If you’re keeping it cheap, think doner kebabs – you can fill up for €12 on average. Followed by any casual dessert or any drink, the price will climb higher. For example, half a liter of German domestic beer costs around €4, as opposed to an imported beer which costs €3.55.

If you choose to have a cappuccino instead of a beer, you’ll have to pay around €3.22. A 0.33-liter bottle of water costs about €2.37, and a soda costs around €2.66.

How Much Do Groceries Cost in Germany?

The occasional restaurant meal can be a nice treat every now and then. But, if you like cooking at home or you muster the confidence to pick up a few basic cooking skills, this will be a great way to save money. 

The prices of essential food and drinks in Germany are quite reasonable compared to the cost of dining out.

Here are the average costs for some of these items:

What Are the Transportation Costs in Germany?

Everyday life in Germany can be hectic—rushing to classes or work, back to your apartment, meeting friends across town, or going shopping. Luckily, the country has great transportation networks to get you to these places.

How much you spend on transportation depends on your choices and commute distance.

Here are some transportation costs to keep in mind:

• Bicycle. Nothing beats the good ol’ bike for navigating crowded cities, especially during rush hours. You can buy your own, rent it from someone, or use Deutsche Bahn’s Call a Bike service for €5.90 a month if available in your city.
• Public transport. Currently, a one-way ticket on local public transport costs around €3. If you’re a regular commuter or plan to travel within Germany, the monthly Deutschland Ticket costs €49.
• Taxi. The starting fare is around €3.60, whereas the cost per kilometer ranges from €1.80 to €2.80.
• Personal car. According to , 72% of people in Germany own a car. If you own or plan to own one, you should account for the price of gasoline, which is €1.76 on average.

How Much Does Clothing Cost in Germany?

Germany offers high-quality clothing, though it often comes with a higher price tag. Here are some typical costs you can expect:

• A pair of jeans – €40 to €110
• A thick winter jacket – €45 to €200
• A light summer dress – €20 to €60
• Running shoes (e.g., Nike, Adidas) – €50 to €120
• Formal business shoes – €60 to €170

To save on clothing expenses, consider exploring outlet stores or buying second-hand items.

How Much Can I Expect to Spend on Entertainment?

How much you spend on entertainment in Germany depends on your preferences. You can have fun without spending any money, whether it’s enjoying the outdoors at a park or visiting free-entry museums. For some other activities, you’ll have to pay:

• Cinema tickets – €10 to €15 per seat
• Gym – €33.82 per month on average
• Sports event – Bundesliga seats range from €8.50 to €90 per match (Source: )
• Nightlife – Clubs charge entry fees usually ranging from €10 to €30
• Streaming services – Standard Netflix subscription costs €13.99 per month, Spotify individual plan is €10.99 

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Germany?

Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Germany, but how much you pay depends on your circumstances.

There is a dual system: you can be insured by statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV) or private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung- PKV).

Public health insurance is generally more reliable, inclusive, and affordable. Private insurance offers extra benefits but is costlier and typically available for those who earn above a salary threshold.

How Much Does Public Health Insurance Cost?

Public health insurance premiums in Germany are calculated as a percentage of your gross salary. These contributions are split 50/50 between you and your employer.

Here is how the total percentage is calculated:

• Health insurance – 14.6% of your gross salary
• Provider-specific supplementary contribution rate – 1.7%. The percentage given is the national average, but this can be more or less depending on the provider.
• Long-term contribution rate – 2,4% up to 4%. The standard rate is 3.4% of your gross salary. An extra 0.6% applies if you are over 23 and don’t have children (totaling 4.0%), and a 0.25% reduction applies per child if you have two or more children after the age of 23.

As an example, let’s calculate how much a 32-year-old employee earning a gross salary of €3,000 per month will pay toward health insurance. They have two children and will be insured with the company Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), which has a supplementary contribution rate of 1.2%.

• Health insurance contribution – €438 
• Supplementary contribution – €36 
• Long-term care contribution – €94.5

Total = €568.5. The employee will pay €284.25, and their employer will contribute the same amount.

How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost?

The cost of premiums in private health insurance is determined by individual risk evaluations. Providers take into account factors such as your age, health status, selected coverage options, and overall risk level (e.g. if you have existing health conditions).

Private health insurance in Germany is only available to those with an annual income of at least €69,300, as well as to self-employed individuals and civil servants.

> Read our complete guide on health insurance in Germany.

How Much Does Health Insurance Cost for Students in Germany?

Students enrolled at accredited higher education institutions in Germany are eligible for subsidized statutory health insurance. As of 2024, student health insurance with public provider costs from €120.34 to €132.52 per month. This premium includes both health and long-term care insurance contributions.

Students are eligible for statutory health insurance until they reach the age of 30. From then on, they can either switch to private insurance or continue to be voluntarily insured with public insurance at regular rates.

How Much Does Home Insurance Cost in Germany?

Two popular home insurance types in Germany are building insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung) and home contents insurance (Hausratversicherung). 

Building insurance covers damage to the structure of the home, such as from fire, storms, water damage, etc. Home contents insurance covers movable personal belongings like furniture, clothing, jewelry, and various types of equipment.

Building insurance costs start from €14.50 per month (€174 per year) for a 100 sqm apartment, but this can vary a lot depending on size, location, provider, and other factors.

For household contents, basic insurance policies start at just under €2 per month, or €20 to €25 per year. 

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Germany?

There are three different types of car insurance in Germany: third-party liability, partial coverage, and comprehensive coverage. Here are the costs for each of these insurances:

• Mandatory liability insurance – €250 per year
• Partial coverage – €85 per year
• Comprehensive coverage – €350 per year

Every car owner is legally required to have third-party liability insurance. Partial or comprehensive coverage is optional, but many people purchase one or the other for the extra benefits and peace of mind.

What’s the Cost of Higher Education in Germany?

Most bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in public German universities are free of charge for both domestic and international students.

Instead of tuition, students pay a semester fee that ranges from €100 to €400. This fee covers the university’s administrative costs, student unions, and access to public transportation for students.

There are some exceptions such as the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, where non-EU students have to pay €1,500 per semester for degree programs. In the Federal State of Bavaria, universities can also charge tuition fees for international students from third countries.

Private universities or some specialized master’s programs at public universities often charge tuition fees as well. These can range anywhere from €3,000 to €20,000 per year or higher, depending on the institution and program.

> Find more information about the cost of studying in Germany here.

Cost of Living in Germany vs the US

The cost of living in Germany is cheaper than in the United States (US). The average single person spends around $1,023 per month in Germany, without including rent. In the US, they would need $1,173 per month to maintain the same lifestyle. This means that living costs in the US are 12.7% more expensive than in Germany.

Consumer prices (including rent), such as those of food and beverages, apparel, recreation, etc, are also 26.6% lower in Germany. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center in Germany is 51.4% cheaper than in the US.

Utilities and local transportation, on the other hand, cost slightly more in Germany than in the US.

See the table below for more information:

Source: Numbeo

Cost of Living in Germany vs India

Living costs in Germany are much more expensive than in India. If a single person needs an average of ₹27,882.1 to live in India (excluding rent), they will need ₹85,316.5 per month to cover the same expenses in Germany. This means that on average, living costs in Germany are 205.9% higher than in India.

Looking at the table below, all items are pricier in Germany. To add an overall estimate, consumer prices, including rent, are 225.0% higher in Germany. A one-bedroom apartment in Germany costs 404.4% more than the same apartment in India.

For a more detailed overview, take a look at the table below:

Source: Numbeo

Last Updated: 8 August 2024

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