Cost Of Living For a Family in Germany 2024

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Germany

Average monthly spending for families in Germany

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: EUR
2,100 5,900 38,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,200 $6,400 $41,000

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Germany?

Families in Germany spend around 5,900 EUR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 2,100 EUR or as high as 38,000 EUR. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Germany


Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Germany

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

4.1 EUR 8.3 EUR 14 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $8.9 $15

Restaurant meal for one

14 EUR 21 EUR 41 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $22 $45

Fine dining meal for one

28 EUR 41 EUR 170 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30 $45 $180

Cappuccino or latte

3.4 EUR 5.5 EUR 8.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.7 $6 $8.9

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

2.8 EUR 3.3 EUR 4.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3 $3.6 $4.5

12 eggs

2.1 EUR 2.8 EUR 4.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.2 $3 $4.5

Fresh whole chicken

4.7 EUR 6.1 EUR 8.6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.1 $6.6 $9.3

Pack of beef

5.5 EUR 8.3 EUR 17 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6 $8.9 $18

Medium bag of rice

2.2 EUR 3 EUR 4.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.4 $3.3 $4.7

Bag of tomatos

0.83 EUR 1.1 EUR 2.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.89 $1.2 $2.2

Bag of apples

1.5 EUR 1.9 EUR 3.2 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.6 $2.1 $3.4
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Germany


Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

3.4 EUR 4.1 EUR 8.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.7 $4.5 $8.9

Average car full tank

21 EUR 28 EUR 55 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $30 $60

Average car 1-day rental

21 EUR 28 EUR 41 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $30 $45

Average car price

10,000 EUR 21,000 EUR 28,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11,000 $22,000 $30,000

Bus ticket one way

0.69 EUR 1 EUR 2.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $1.1 $2.2

Car Service

28 EUR 41 EUR 83 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30 $45 $89
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Germany


Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

100 EUR 290 EUR 1,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $320 $2,100

Internet and cable

21 EUR 41 EUR 55 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $45 $60

Mobile phone charges

17 EUR 28 EUR 83 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $30 $89

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

10 EUR 14 EUR 21 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $15 $22

One month gym membership

33 EUR 41 EUR 83 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$36 $45 $89
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Germany


Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

24 EUR 34 EUR 52 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$26 $37 $56

Woman dress

23 EUR 32 EUR 100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$25 $34 $110

Woman shoes

22 EUR 29 EUR 69 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $32 $75

Men's shoes

19 EUR 23 EUR 46 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20 $25 $50

Men suit

21 EUR 26 EUR 140 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $28 $150

Regular t-shirt

10 EUR 14 EUR 41 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$11 $15 $45
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Germany


Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

340 EUR 520 EUR 1,400 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $560 $1,500

1-bedroom apartment

520 EUR 830 EUR 2,100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$560 $890 $2,200

2-bedroom apartment

690 EUR 1,000 EUR 2,800 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$750 $1,100 $3,000

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

69,000 EUR 100,000 EUR 210,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$75,000 $110,000 $220,000

1-bedroom apartment

83,000 EUR 140,000 EUR 520,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$89,000 $150,000 $560,000

2-bedroom apartment

140,000 EUR 410,000 EUR 830,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $450,000 $890,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Germany


Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

410 EUR 520 EUR 690 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$450 $560 $750

Double Bed

280 EUR 410 EUR 520 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $450 $560

Single Bed

240 EUR 320 EUR 410 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$260 $340 $450

Living Room

460 EUR 590 EUR 2,100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500 $640 $2,200

Dining Table

210 EUR 280 EUR 520 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$220 $300 $560

Sofa or Couch

280 EUR 380 EUR 830 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $410 $890
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Germany


Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

280 EUR 410 EUR 830 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $450 $890

Fridge or Freezer

240 EUR 380 EUR 520 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$260 $410 $560

Washing Machine

320 EUR 460 EUR 830 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$340 $500 $890

Stove or Cooker

290 EUR 380 EUR 520 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$320 $410 $560

Mobile Phone

340 EUR 410 EUR 590 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $450 $640

Laptop or Computer

380 EUR 460 EUR 830 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$410 $500 $890
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Germany

Family expenditure to income ratio in Germany

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Germany

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

85%

76% to 96%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Germany spend around 85% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 76% of their income while some as high as 96%.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Germany

How do families spend their money in Germany?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost31%

31% of total expenses on average (26% to 41%)

LOW$710   660 EUR
AVERAGE$2,000   1,900 EUR
HIGH$13,000   12,000 EUR
Per Month

Families in Germany typically spend from 26% to 41% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 31% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 1,900 EUR with expenditure ranging from 660 EUR to 12,000 EUR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities3%

3% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW$110   100 EUR
AVERAGE$320   290 EUR
HIGH$2,100   1,900 EUR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Germany ranges from 1% to 6% of total expenses with 3% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 290 EUR with 100 EUR and 1,900 EUR being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 9%)

LOW$220   210 EUR
AVERAGE$640   590 EUR
HIGH$4,100   3,800 EUR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 210 EUR to 3,800 EUR in a month on commuting with 590 EUR being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 9%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost19%

19% of total expenses on average (12% to 25%)

LOW$400   370 EUR
AVERAGE$1,100   1,100 EUR
HIGH$7,400   6,900 EUR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Germany is 1,100 EUR. The cost of groceries can range between 370 EUR to 6,900 EUR. Families spend on average about 19% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 12% and 25% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare9%

9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)

LOW$200   180 EUR
AVERAGE$640   590 EUR
HIGH$3,300   3,100 EUR
Per Month

Families in Germany allocate 5% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 180 EUR to 3,100 EUR with 590 EUR being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)

LOW$110   100 EUR
AVERAGE$320   290 EUR
HIGH$2,100   1,900 EUR
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 100 EUR to 1,900 EUR with 290 EUR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW$310   290 EUR
AVERAGE$890   820 EUR
HIGH$5,800   5,300 EUR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 820 EUR per month with 290 EUR being the minimum spent amount and 5,300 EUR being the maximum.

Other Expenses13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 18%)

LOW$180   160 EUR
AVERAGE$510   470 EUR
HIGH$3,300   3,100 EUR
Per Month
Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Germany

What percentage of families in Germany are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
62%
Not Saving
38%

Almost 62% of surveyed families in Germany said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 38% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Germany

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

13% 21% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

830 EUR
$900
2,400 EUR
$2,600
15,000 EUR
$17,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%26%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%11%
40% - 50%8%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 13% to 31% of their monthly income to their savings, with 21% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 2,400 EUR with 830 EUR and 15,000 EUR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Germany

Saving Challenges in Germany

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Germany. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income7%
High Expenses10%
Debt and Loans21%
Lack of Budgeting Skills9%
Impulsive Spending8%
Financial Emergencies5%
Living the moment8%
Will do it later14%
Inflation9%
Social Pressure4%
Market Instability4%

Around 7% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 10% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 21% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 9% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 8% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 5% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 8% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 14% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 9% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 4% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 4% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Germany

Typical saving choices for families in Germany

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds10%
Gold8%
Savings Accounts18%
Retirement Accounts12%
Cash Savings13%
Real Estate11%
Investment7%
Stocks7%
Bonds7%
Mutual Funds4%
Certificates of Deposit4%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Germany

Affordable living in Germany

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Germany?


Yes
76%
No
24%

Around 76% of surveyed families think that living in Germany is affordable with proper budgeting while 24% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Germany

Low-cost alternatives in Germany

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options61%

Few low-cost options39%


Based on the survey, 61% of the families living in Germany have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of Germany whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes73%

No27%


Based on the survey, 27% of the families living in Germany said that they don't have an emergency fund while 73% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Germany

Financial Literacy in Germany

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy71%


We asked family guardians and parents in Germany whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 29% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 71% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of Germany have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 28% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 72% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance28%

Easily manages finances72%

Financial goals and targets of families living in Germany

Financial goals of families in Germany

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Germany, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund6%
Debt Reduction26%
Retirement Savings6%
Education Funding9%
Homeownership16%
Investing10%
Travel or Lifestyle14%
Healthcare Expenses6%
Financial Independence11%

Around 6% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 26% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 6% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 9% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 16% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 10% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 14% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 6% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Germany

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Germany


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
27%
Debt Free
73%

According to the survey, 27% of the families in Germany have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 73% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Germany

Debt-to-income ratio in Germany

Debt to income ratio

26%

17% to 36%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 26% of a family's monthly income in Germany goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%2%
50% - 60%7%
40% - 50%9%
30% - 40%11%
20% - 30%18%
10% - 20%23%
0% - 10%29%

According to our data, 2% of the debtors in Germany pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 7% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 9% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 11% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 18% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Germany

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage16%
Auto Loan27%
Student Loan2%
Credit Card22%
Personal Loan32%

16% of debtors in Germany confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 22% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 27% of people and personal loans rose at 32%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 2% of debtors in Germany.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Germany

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Germany how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never58%
Once a year21%
Twice a year10%
Three times a year7%
Four times a year3%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Germany

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Germany

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Germany

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

340 EUR 520 EUR 1,400 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$370 $560 $1,500

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

520 EUR 830 EUR 2,100 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$560 $890 $2,200

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

690 EUR 1,000 EUR 2,800 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$750 $1,100 $3,000

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

830 EUR 1,400 EUR 3,800 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$890 $1,500 $4,100

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

1,700 EUR 4,100 EUR 8,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,800 $4,500 $8,900

Townhouse monthly rent cost

1,400 EUR 2,100 EUR 5,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,500 $2,200 $6,400

House monthly rent cost

1,700 EUR 4,100 EUR 8,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,800 $4,500 $8,900

Villa monthly rent cost

2,100 EUR 5,200 EUR 8,300 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,200 $5,600 $8,900

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Germany ranges between 340 EUR and 1,400 EUR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 520 EUR to 2,100 EUR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 690 EUR and 2,800 EUR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 830 EUR to 3,800 EUR. The average rent of a townhouse in Germany is around 2,100 EUR while house rental costs can be as high as 4,100 EUR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,100 EUR to 8,300 EUR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Germany

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

69,000 EUR 100,000 EUR 210,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$75,000 $110,000 $220,000

1-bedroom apartment price

83,000 EUR 140,000 EUR 520,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$89,000 $150,000 $560,000

2-bedroom apartment price

140,000 EUR 410,000 EUR 830,000 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $450,000 $890,000

3-bedroom apartment price

460,000 EUR 690,000 EUR 2.1M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$500,000 $750,000 $2.2M

Townhouse price

590,000 EUR 1.4M EUR 5.2M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$640,000 $1.5M $5.6M

House price

690,000 EUR 4.1M EUR 5.9M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$750,000 $4.5M $6.4M

Villa price

830,000 EUR 4.6M EUR 6.9M EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$890,000 $5M $7.5M

The average price of a studio apartment in Germany can range from 69,000 EUR to 210,000 EUR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 83,000 EUR to 520,000 EUR. A villa can cost you 4.6M EUR on average with prices ranging from 830,000 EUR to 6.9M EUR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Germany will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


47 x139 monthly income 223
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Germany can be x139 to x223 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x139 multiples of the average monthly salary in Germany.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


24% 34% of income 44%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Germany is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 44% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
32%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.4%
AVERAGE
3.4%
TO
4.4%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


5.9 EUR 76 EUR 760 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Germany

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Germany

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

100 EUR 290 EUR 1,900 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $320 $2,100

Internet and cable cost

21 EUR 41 EUR 55 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $45 $60

Mobile phone bill and charges

17 EUR 28 EUR 83 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $30 $89

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 290 EUR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 21 EUR to 55 EUR with 41 EUR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 28 EUR but can range between 17 EUR and 83 EUR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


1% 4% of income 8%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Germany is around 4%. This means that people pay 4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1% to 8% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Germany

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Germany

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

4.1 EUR 8.3 EUR 14 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $8.9 $15

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Germany is approximatly 8.3 EUR with meal cost ranging from 4.1 EUR to 14 EUR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

14 EUR 21 EUR 41 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $22 $45

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 14 EUR and 41 EUR with 21 EUR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Germany.

Fine dining meal for one price

28 EUR 41 EUR 170 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30 $45 $180

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 28 EUR to 170 EUR with the average cost being 41 EUR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Germany.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

3.4 EUR 5.5 EUR 8.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.7 $6 $8.9

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Germany is around 5.5 EUR. Price ranges between 3.4 EUR and 8.3 EUR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

2.8 EUR 3.3 EUR 4.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3 $3.6 $4.5

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Germany is 3.3 EUR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4.1 EUR and the minimum being 2.8 EUR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

2.1 EUR 2.8 EUR 4.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.2 $3 $4.5

A dozen eggs costs around 2.8 EUR on average with 2.1 EUR and 4.1 EUR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

4.7 EUR 6.1 EUR 8.6 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.1 $6.6 $9.3

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Germany is between 4.7 EUR and 8.6 EUR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6.1 EUR.

Pack of beef price

5.5 EUR 8.3 EUR 17 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6 $8.9 $18

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 8.3 EUR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

2.2 EUR 3 EUR 4.3 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.4 $3.3 $4.7

A bag of rice in Germany costs around 3 EUR on average with prices rangeing between 2.2 EUR and 4.3 EUR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

0.83 EUR 1.1 EUR 2.1 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.89 $1.2 $2.2

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.83 EUR to 2.1 EUR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

1.5 EUR 1.9 EUR 3.2 EUR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.6 $2.1 $3.4

A bag of apples costs 1.9 EUR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


17% 25% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Germany is around 25%. This means that families spend 25% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 17% to 31% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 370 EUR to 6,900 EUR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

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