Are you considering moving to Germany but wondering what is the cost of living in Germany? According to Numbeo, cost of living in Germany is 7.4% lower than in US. Monthly cost (without rent) for a single person in Germany is $1,074.6 (€996.0), and for a family of 4 is $3,652.8 (€3,385.6).
With a population of 83.22 million, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union. However, many people do not know that Germany is also the second largest immigrant country in the world, merely after the US. Therefore, stop worrying about the facilities and cultures. Germany can be quite inclusive. Let’s read on to learn more about cost of living in Germany and prepare for your new journey.
Is it expensive to live in Germany?
On average, the monthly cost of living in Germany for a single person is $1,074,6 (€996.0) without rent, while for a family of four is $3,652,8 (€3,385.6) without rent. It is relatively cheap to live in Germany compared to other Western countries.
Germany has a mild and comfortable climate with four distinct seasons. In addition, Germany is home to rich cultures and an artistic atmosphere, featuring many representative buildings, art, music, movies, etc. As one of the most developed countries in the world, Germany’s standard of living is also among the highest in the world. The high standard of living with a relatively low cost of living has attracted many people moving to Germany from US. Here are some of the main Germany life cost.
Cost of living Germany for a single person
| Item | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed apartment) | € 957 |
| Utilities | € 374 |
| Monthly public transport pass | € 49 |
| Monthly gym pass | € 34 |
| Groceries | € 230 |
| Leisure | € 260 |
| Total | € 1,904 |
Cost of living Germany for a family of four
| Item | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (3-bed apartment) | € 1,645 |
| Utilities | € 580 |
| Transportation | € 620 |
| Monthly gym pass for 2 | € 68 |
| Groceries | € 590 |
| Preschool | € 366 |
| Leisure | € 420 |
| Total | € 4,289 |
Most expensive cities in Germany
Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany, but it is not the city with the highest living expenses. The most expensive city to live in Germany is Munich, whose cost of living for one month can be $2,332.
Generally, the south of Germany is more expensive than other regions, such as Munich and Stuttgart. And the cost of living in Berlin remains more reasonable than other capitals in Europe. For example, a single person estimated monthly cost in Berlin is $1,077.7 (€997.1) without rent, while in Paris is $1,183.0 (€1,094.4), and in London is $1,390.5 (£1,072.8). The table below compares cost of living by city in Germany.
| Rank | City | Cost of Living Index | Rent Index | Cost of Living Plus Rent Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munich | 69.9 | 38.8 | 55.9 |
| 2 | Frankfurt | 66.5 | 32.0 | 50.9 |
| 3 | Hamburg | 67.5 | 27.4 | 49.4 |
| 4 | Darmstadt | 65.7 | 29.6 | 49.4 |
| 5 | Berlin | 63.6 | 30.9 | 48.9 |
| 6 | Heidelberg | 65.4 | 28.1 | 48.6 |
| 7 | Dusseldorf | 65.9 | 26.5 | 48.2 |
| 8 | Stuttgart | 64.3 | 27.9 | 47.9 |
| 9 | Freiburg im Breisgau | 64.2 | 25.2 | 46.6 |
| 10 | Cologne | 63.0 | 26.4 | 46.5 |
| 11 | Karlsruhe | 63.2 | 24.6 | 45.8 |
| 12 | Bonn | 63.3 | 23.0 | 45.1 |
| 13 | Nuremberg | 62.9 | 21.6 | 44.3 |
| 14 | Hanover | 61.8 | 20.9 | 43.4 |
| 15 | Erlangen | 61.2 | 21.4 | 43.2 |
| 16 | Dortmund | 62.1 | 20.1 | 43.1 |
| 17 | Essen | 63.7 | 17.4 | 42.8 |
| 18 | Bremen | 62.4 | 18.7 | 42.7 |
| 19 | Mannheim | 60.4 | 19.5 | 42.0 |
| 20 | Aachen | 60.0 | 18.4 | 41.2 |
Life expenses in Germany: Accommodation
For most people, accommodation costs can be the biggest part of your cost of living in a new place. According to Numbeo, the average rent in Germany is 42.8% lower than in the US. Therefore, you can find an ideal home without so much money.
Rent per month
If you just come to Germany for a while, for example, for study, work or travel, rent an apartment is more affordable and suitable. For apartments in city centre and outside of centre, you may prepare quite different budget.
| Apartment Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | €894.04 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | €676.54 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | €1,671.88 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | €1,278.29 |
Buy apartment price
If you have enough money, or plan to settle down in Germany, you can choose to buy apartments in Germany. The prices for buying apartments here can be reasonable, and the houses in Germany for sale are sufficient. The following table is presented for your reference.
| Apartment Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | €532.04 |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | €425.59 |
Rent in different cities
Rent in Germany varies from city to city, ranging from €567 in Aachen to €1,398 in Munich. Thus, to fully prepare for moving to room to live in German, you should choose the city you are about to live in, and get more information about this city.
| Rank | City | Average Rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munich | €1,398 |
| 2 | Berlin | €1,321 |
| 3 | Frankfurt | €1,156 |
| 4 | Stuttgart | €1,023 |
| 5 | Heidelberg | €996 |
| 6 | Hamburg | €996 |
| 7 | Dusseldorf | €970 |
| 8 | Cologne | €929 |
| 9 | Mainz | €863 |
| 10 | Augsburg | €780 |
| 11 | Nuremberg | €760 |
| 12 | Karlsruhe | €744 |
| 13 | Essen | €740 |
| 14 | Ingolstadt | €732 |
| 15 | Hanover | €728 |
| 16 | Bonn | €712 |
| 17 | Mannheim | €693 |
| 18 | Bremen | €687 |
| 19 | Dortmund | €624 |
| 20 | Aachen | €567 |
Utilities
In addition to rent, you also need to spend some money on utilities. Utility fees may include water, electricity, Internet, heating, etc. Sounds complex? Don’t worry. You may not pay these bills if you book some student accommodation in Germany through uhomes.com. We provide sufficient properties with all-inclusive bills.
| Utilities (Monthly) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | €304.97 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | €26.58 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | €45.58 |
Life expenses in Germany: Transportation
Germany is almost one of the world’s most developed transport countries. Known as the “crossroads” of Europe’s land, Germany is the hub of Europe’s north-south and east-west traffic arteries. Germany was the first country in the world to have expressways. Its inland shipping and aviation industries are also well-developed.
Even if you live in the city centre, you will inevitably need to visit friends and family members or travel around. Therefore, transportation is also a non-negligible part of the cost of living. The following table lists the costs of the various ways of transportation you may have in Germany.
| Transportation Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | €3.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | €49.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | €4.50 |
| Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) | €3.46 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | €30.00 |
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | €6.64 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | €27,180.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | €28,189.12 |
Life expenses in Germany: Food
Eating in Germany can be a pleasure. Generally, Germans love meat. Most famous German dishes are made of pork, such as bratwurst and eisbein. In addition, Germany is also one of the world’s largest beer producers. The beer consumption per capita is among the top in the world. Oktoberfest is the largest beer festival in the world.
However, the cost of food here is not as high as in other developed countries. If you don’t like traditional German food, don’t worry. You can taste all kinds of dishes and snacks from all over the world in Germany, including French, Russian, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and so on.
Restaurants
As an inclusive country, Germany is home to various restaurants.
| Restaurant Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | €14.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | €65.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | €10.00 |
| Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) | €4.20 |
| Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | €4.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €3.42 |
| Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) | €2.76 |
| Water (12 oz small bottle) | €2.48 |
Groceries
If you love cooking by yourself, you may focus on the costs of groceries. And grocery expenses can affect your living standard.
| Groceries | Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | €4.14 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | €1.73 |
| Rice (white), (1 lb) | €1.35 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | €3.21 |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | €5.76 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | €5.82 |
| Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | €7.75 |
| Tomato (1 lb) | €1.99 |
| Potato (1 lb) | €0.64 |
| Onion (1 lb) | €0.67 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | €1.68 |
Life expenses in Germany: Education
Germany is one of the first countries in the world to establish a national education system. The German education system is 12 to 13 years of compulsory education, but in practice, the education system varies from state to state. At the secondary level, there are three main types of schools to choose from: Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. The goal of the German education system is to provide all students with equal opportunities to receive education and an appropriate learning environment so that individual abilities can be fully developed.
Childcare
Preschool education in Germany is not compulsory and therefore not free, but may be subsidized by the government. In Germany, primary education is compulsory. If you choose to attend a state primary school, there may cost nothing.
| Childcare | Cost |
|---|---|
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | €415.33 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | €11,902.75 |
Higher ecudation
German higher education is recognized worldwide, thus, many people choose to come to Germany to further their studies. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, there are five German universities in the top 100, including Technische Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Heidelberg University, Freie Universität Berlin, and RWTH Aachen University. Here are some famous universities and their tuition fees.
| University | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| University of Gottingen | €34,425 per semester |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | €29,099 per semester |
| Technical University of Berlin | €11,309 |
| Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich | €8,500 per semester |
| Technical University of Munich | €2,000 – €6,000 |
| University of Stuttgart | €1,500 per semester |
| Heidelberg University | €1,500 per semester |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | €1,500 per semester |
Life expenses in Germany: Healthcare
In Germany, healthcare is financed by the health insurance system, which pays for the services of each insured person. Health insurance in Germany is compulsory, which is unique in Europe. The country’s healthcare systems complement each other, including GKV and PKV. Health insurance here offers high-quality services, world-class facilities, well-trained professionals and so on. However, many people still choose private insurance so that they can get better services, including single rooms and shorter waiting times.
Therefore, if you are a legal resident in Germany, whether you are German or not, you can receive relatively cheaper but premium healthcare services. This can reduce your Germany cost of living. But if you pursue better services, you may pay more for your health insurances.
Life expenses in Germany: Entertainment
You must have heard that Germans are very serious. Actually, they can enjoy life as well. All kinds of entertainment and sports can be found here, and you can find your like-minded friends. For example, Germans are crazy about football. They are proud of many of their football players and teams. During the World Cup, people may hold various activities and sit together to watch football games. Then, how much does entertainment cost in Germany? Here are some examples.
| Entertainment | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | €34.37 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | €21.16 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | €12.00 |
Cost of living in Germany compared to other countries
As the world’s second-largest immigrant country, Germany attracts a large number of people for its advanced technology, good economy, inclusive atmosphere, and quality education. If you are considering moving to Germany, please read on and search for more information about comparing cost of living in Germany vs other countries.
Cost of living Germany vs USA
According to Numbeo, here are some of the comparison data:
- Cost of Living (without rent) in Germany is 7.2% lower than in USA
- Cost of Living (including rent) in Germany is 19.0% lower than in USA
- Rent price in Germany is 42.7% lower than in USA
- Restaurant price in Germany is 15.3% lower than in USA
- Grocery price in Germany is 17.6% lower than in USA
- Local purchasing power in Germany is 15.6% lower than in USA
Cost of living Germany vs UK
According to Numbeo, here are some of the comparison data:
- Cost of Living (without rent) in Germany is 0.1% lower than in UK
- Cost of Living (including rent) in Germany is 7.3% lower than in UK
- Rent prices in Germany are 24.7% lower than in UK
- Restaurant prices in Germany are 10.0% lower than in UK
- Groceries prices in Germany are 4.6% higher than in UK
- Local purchasing power in Germany is 3.8% higher than in UK
Cost of living Germany vs India
According to Numbeo, here are some of the comparison data:
- Cost of Living (without rent) in Germany is 204.4% higher than in India
- Cost of Living (including rent) in Germany is 228.9% higher than in India
- Rent prices in Germany are 344.5% higher than in India
- Restaurant prices in Germany are 248.2% higher than in India
- Groceries prices in Germany are 160.4% higher than in India
- Local purchasing power in Germany is 48.3% higher than in India
Cost of living Germany vs Australia
According to Numbeo, here are some of the comparison data:
- Cost of Living in (without rent) Germany is 6.6% lower than in Australia
- Cost of Living (including rent) in Germany is 12.4% lower than in Australia
- Rent prices in Germany are 27.0% lower than in Australia
- Restaurant prices in Germany are 6.6% lower than in Australia
- Groceries prices in Germany are 17.4% lower than in Australia
- Local purchasing power in Germany is 6.3% lower than in Australia
Living in Germany with uhomes
Cost of living in Germany is relatively low compared with other developed countries. If you plan to move to Germany from the USA, the UK, Australia or other countries, don’t worry and come here! Living in Germany can improve your life standard and provide you with a brand new experience. To living here more comfortably and conveniently, please check uhomes.com and discover your ideal home. Just like our slogan, we can help you find your home in a new place.
FAQ
Of course, Germany is a good place to live. Living in Germany, you can live with diverse cultures, taste various food, and receive quality education. If you are looking for first-class universities for further study, you must consider Germany, which is home to many prestigious schools, such as Technische Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Freie Universität Berlin, and RWTH Aachen University. By the way, it may cost less than in the USA. That is to say, you can live a better life with fewer budgets.
Compared to other developed countries, cost of living in Germany is lower. According to Numbeo, monthly living expenses in Germany for a single person is $1,074.6 (€996.0), as for a family of four, the cost is $3,652.8 (€3,385.6).
| Apartment Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | €894.04 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | €676.54 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | €1,671.88 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | €1,278.29 |
| Salaries and Financing | Data |
|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | €2,803.66 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 3.98% |
As one of the largest cities in Germany, Munich is the most expensive city to live in this country. And the cost of living for one month can reach $2,332.
Berlin, the capital and largest city in Germany, is also expensive to live. It is estimated that cost of living in Berlin for one person without rent is $,078.1$ (€996.7). As for a family of four, the price of living in Berlin can reach $3,633.7$ (€3,359.2) without rent.
