The cost of living in Germany

What is the average cost of living in Germany per month?

The cost of living in Germany for you personally will, of course, depend on a number of factors, including the city you live in, how many cars you have, the food you eat, and how many people are in your household. But here are some average figures according to Numbeo:

• A family of four’s estimated monthly costs are 2,449.49£ (2,846.90€) without rent.

• A single person’s estimated monthly costs are 713.00£ (828.67€), without rent.

• The cost of living in Germany is, on average, 0.08%lower than in the United Kingdom.

• Rent in Germany is, on average, 16.56%lower than in the United Kingdom.

The cost of living in Germany vs. other countries

Despite being one of the richest countries in the world, living expenses in Germany are not as high as perhaps you may expect. In fact, they are similar to those of other EU countries. In fact, according to theglobaleconomy.com Germany is ranked the 10th highest in terms of cost of living, making it cheaper to live here than it is in the UK, Denmark, Norway, France, or the Netherlands. Take a look at how Germany compares.

The cost of living in Germany by city

The cost of living fluctuates from one city to another in Germany. Let’s take a look at the most popular cities in Germany and see just how much everything costs.

The cost of living in Berlin

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Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Plus, its 3.6 million inhabitants make it the European Union’s most populous city. Despite that, it’s a very green city, with parks, forests, lakes, and rivers covering an amazing third of the city. Its areas are varied, each with their own distinct atmosphere.

So how does the cost of living in Berlin stack up? Although it’s the capital, Berlin is one of Germany’s cheapest cities. Rental prices vary massively, but as a rule of thumb, the west remains much more expensive than the east.

The average cost of living in Berlin is 922.29€ per month without rent, and salaries are on average 3,051.30€ (after tax). Here are some specific costs.

The cost of living in Düsseldorf

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Düsseldorf is the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, the most populous state of Germany. It’s the second-largest city in the state and the largest in Germany, with a population of 617,280.

Ranked 6th in the world for quality of life and infrastructure, Düsseldorf is a beautiful cosmopolitan city straddling the Rhine river. It’s home to banks, industry, media companies, multi-national HQs, museums, restaurants and markets – plus, great international schools.

The average cost of living in Düsseldorf is 858.56€ per month without rent and salaries are on average 3,056.56€ (after tax). Here are some specific costs.

The cost of living in Frankfurt

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Frankfurt, Germany’s financial capital is the 5th most populous city in the country.

Its skyline looks a little like Manhattan and most of the 600,000 people who work here chose to commute in from the suburbs rather than live right in the centre. It is certainly one of the more expensive cities to live in Germany, coming second only to Munich. A one-bed flat will cost you around €900 per month.

The average cost of living in Frankfurt is 929.37€ per month without rent and salaries are on average 3,178.18€ (after tax). Here are some specific costs.  

The cost of living in Hamburg

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Hamburg – or to give its full name – the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany with 1.8 million inhabitants.

The metropolitan area is home to 5.1 million people. Hamburg is also one of Germany’s 16 states of the federation and is ranked 19th best for quality of life and 9th for the high quality of the city’s infrastructure.

The average cost of living in Hamburg is 851.97€ per month without rent and salaries are on average 3,011.32€ (after tax). Here are some specific costs.  

The cost of living in Munich

Photo by Daniel Sessler / Unsplash

Munich is the capital of the German state of Bavaria. It’s the third largest city in Germany after Berlin and Hamburg and also the 11th largest city in the European Union. The city’s metropolitan region is home to 6 million people.  

It has a much higher cost of living than Berlin. And despite its provincial feel, it’s a city with a strong economy where rents and living costs are relatively high. You may find it hard to find a one-bed apartment for less than €1,000 in Munich.

The average cost of living in Munich is 952.51€ per month without rent, and salaries are on average 3314.29€ (after tax). Here are some specific costs.  

The city with the cheapest cost of living in Germany

Berlin, the capital and one of the most exciting places to live in Germany, is also one of the cheapest of the major cities. So, it’s not surprising that it’s increasingly popular with those moving to the country. There are a few cities that are comparable to or even cheaper than Berlin, including Leipzig, Bochum, and Kiel where one-bed flats can be found for around 500€ a month.

Aachen and Dresden are the cities with the lowest cost of living index. The average cost of living per month without rent in Aachen is 789.07€ and in Dresden 765.88€.  

WorldRemit makes living abroad easier

If you do decide to move to Germany, or in fact another country, we can be there to support you with a way to stay connected to those you love. If you need to send money back to family and friends, we can offer you an excellent low cost, online money transfer service: one that allows you to send fast and secure transfers.

And, if you need any more information on the different aspects of living abroad, you can also refer to our blog for a host of interesting articles.

The cost of living in Germany: FAQs

Here are the answers to commonly asked questions about the cost of living in Germany.

Is it cheaper to live in Germany or the USA?

When it comes to the cost of living in Germany vs US - Germany is cheaper. According to livingcost.org the average cost of living in Germany (1,325USD) is 37% less expensive than in the US (2,112USD).  Germany ranked 30th vs 6th for the United States in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

Is it cheaper to live in Germany or the UK?

Germany has a slightly lower cost of living than the UK, although Berlin is much cheaper than London, which, like Paris, affects the country's average living costs. Plus, when it comes to higher education, tuition fees in the UK are almost £10,000 a year (11,700€), but cost nothing in Germany.

What is the average German rent?

The average rental costs in Germany per month for a single person are 300€ (student halls or room in a shared flat) to 700€+ (one-bed flat in the city). The cost for a couple could be up to 50% more.

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