Woman reading a book

Costs of housing in Germany

Whether you’re planning to move to Germany for six months or ten years, you will need to find somewhere to call home. The cost of housing ranges hugely depending on the location and whether you want your own place or are happy to share with others. But in comparison to most other European countries, you can rest assured that rental prices are relatively cheap in Germany.

There are often significant differences in rental prices across the various cities in Germany, which we will look into in this article along with the costs of student halls, shared living, boarding houses, and average rent prices across Germany.

Related pages

Table of contents

Living in a Flat

Living in a flat can be a great choice for couples or those who prefer to live alone

Flats are a very popular choice for those that want to live in the city center, where they are much more common than houses.

What is the cost of a flat in Germany?

Renting a flat in Germany can range from around €500 to well over €2,000 depending on the size and location of the flat. You also need to factor in up to three months’ rent (payable in advance) and a deposit (Kaution).

What is the cost of living in an apartment in Germany?

As we’ll find out, the costs vary from city to city. Those trying to calculate the cost of apartment living need to factor in bills as well as rent, and even new furniture as many flats in Germany are left unfurnished – it is not unusual for them to not even include kitchen surfaces or fittings.

Cold rent - "Kaltmiete"

"Kaltmiete" translated as cold rent and means the cost of the apartment per month without any bills or utility payment included (the bare cost of the apartment rental). "Warmmiete" (warm rent) is the monthly price including the main utility bills – sometimes extras (such as internet) are included in this, too, but not always.

Living in a community (WG)

Shared apartment, flats or houses in Germany are referred to as WGs ("Wohngemeinschaften")

This term is translated roughly as "living in a community," but it is not the same as living in a commune. WG living is very popular with young people and students.

You can expect to pay around €400-€600 for a room in central Berlin and around €600-€800 for a room in central Munich. You can also take advantage of sharing the costs of utility bills and even grocery shopping, in some cases.

Living in a student hall

Student accommodation (Studentenwohnheime) is normally offered to students in the first year of their Bachelor's degree, although sometimes second, third year and even Master's students may be able to secure a room in the halls.

Students will have their own bedroom and often an ensuite bathroom but share living areas such as kitchens. Student accommodation costs around €350 per month in Berlin and €500 per month in Munich.

You can find out more about student housing and other costs on our Living Costs for a Student in Germany page.

German language skills

Boarding with a host family is a really good way of improving your German language skills.

Living in a boarding house

Lodging (boarding) with a host family is a very affordable way to find accommodation

The rent you pay often includes ‘board’, which means you will get food as well (usually breakfast and dinner) and it may even include laundry services.

You don’t need to buy any new furniture or worry about any bills, but it does mean you have to be respectful of the fact that you are living in someone’s home.

Boarding is typically comparable to the cost of a room in a house share, which can be great value if it includes food. You can even get this amount lowered or even board for free if you undertake childcare as an au-pair.

Rising rents

Rents in Germany may have been rising rapidly in some cities over the past two decades, but there are often cheaper deals on the outskirts of cities.

Differences between cities

Rental prices for flats can differ enormously depending on the city

In Berlin, you may find a city center flat for €700 to €1,200, but in Munich, it can cost well over €1,200.

How much is rent in Germany?

According to Numbeo (2022), the average price for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center in Germany is around €750.

Here you will find the average rates for one-bedroom apartments in major German cities:

  • Berlin: €1,087
  • Cologne: €807
  • Frankfurt: €1,060
  • Hamburg: €993
  • Leipzig: €592
  • Munich: €1,346
  • Stuttgart: €1,025

What is the price of housing in Germany?

Purchasing a property is not nearly as common in Germany as it is in the US, France, or the UK. The average price for property in the city center of a German town or city is around €5,430 per square meter, rising to €6,995 per square meter in Berlin and €11,759 in Munich.

What is the average cost of rent in Germany?

Average rent costs in Germany range from €300 to €800 per calendar month for a room in shared accommodation and from €500 to €1,346 for a one-bedroom flat. The overall average rental price is €750 for a one-bedroom apartment.

About Expatrio

We're building the best solution for international students in Germany.

LEARN MORE