However, this does not mean life in the U.K. is terrible, only that you need a higher income than in Germany if you want to live a decent and standard life. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 1.9 months in Germany compared to 1.9 months in the United States. On average, if you have long hair and would like to take care of your tips, you can expect to pay between 40 to 50 euros. German families pay 319 EUR per month for childcare on average. Families spend between 400 EUR to 800 EUR on health insurance. Germany or the U.S.A.? 798.16 €. This will cover any damages caused in your flat by fire, water, or burglary. Discover best places to live in Germany. One of the reasons why many people like Germany is how cheap foodstuffs are in the country. Membership of a sports club costs around €32 per month. In certain circumstances, there are other taxes to pay. Accomodation. Social security contributions are high and account for a significant proportion of your wages. For a privately owned daycare, you can pay up to 1,000 euros a month per child. ), 1 min. Cost of Living in Germany Complete Guide - The German Immigrant In this guide, I will break down the cost of living per month you need to consider during your time in Germany. Utilities include: A phone line and fast internet connection cost you an additional 30 EUR per month. On average, a fully comprehensive cover costs roughly 600-700 euros per year, which is also what Yvonne and I pay. database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague. Keep in mind that some private German and international banks might charge you a monthly fee if you don’t have your salary transferred to the account you open with them. Edited by Anita Badejo. Most of them are located in Eastern Germany. In the most basic terms, the Cost of Living in Germany is far much better than that of the U.K. With the low taxes and reduced cost of products mean you can be sure of having a better standard of living in the country. As I mentioned earlier, internet is a utility that most likely will not be part of the rental price. One good thing with Germany, it is a reasonable place in as far as the cost of living is concerned. Living Munich is one of the most expensive cities in Germany. ₹2,700. Heidelberg is 33.6% less expensive than New York (without rent, see our cost of living index). The general cost of living and standards of living in Germany, Learn more about the minimum wage in Germany, Explore your healthcare options in Germany, Want to study abroad? Last update on 16/03/2023 Share How much money do you need to live a comfortable German lifestyle? You need to consider the following different monthly costs on top of your rent: When you rent an apartment in Germany, the rental price will either be cold (Kaltmiete) or warm (Warmmiete). However average Cost of living in Germany for family is $1691 for students is $1016 and for bachelor is $1144. of boneless chicken breast, 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area, Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area, Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area, Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio, Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands), 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers), 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands), Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new, Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands), Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes), Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city, Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub, 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats), Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert, 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt. Muslims and Buddhists do not pay the church tax. Each city might have a different shared bike service. Drinks are around 3-4 EUR a half-liter draft beer and approximately 5-6 EUR for a glass of good quality wine. Monthly public transport pass costs between 56 EUR and 90 EUR on average depending on the city. If you shop at Lidl and Aldi, you can save between 10 and 15%. They have really good quality products at an excellent price. Related Guide: Insurance In Germany: Must-Haves For Expats. It covers your medical bill completely in nearly 100% of the cases. The average cost of living for families with three and more children is distributed as follows: The cost of living in Germany could be surprisingly affordable if you know where to shop and how to save. “This insurance is a must-have!”, they will say. The average cost of a move from the United States to Germany is $4,450. The average salary after taxes in Germany is $2771, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.9 months. You can expect to pay anywhere between 11 to 17 euros for a movie ticket. In those stores, items cost significantly more, but the quality is often higher. It’s not unusual for outgoing tenants or homeowners to take their kitchen cupboards, sink, and appliances with them. If families don’t have enough income to afford larger purchases (e.g., a car) or unexpected expenses, they could get a loan at a very low interest rate. The prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothes and entertainment are basically in line with the EU average. Your apartment will almost definitely be the largest influencing factor on your cost of living as a family in Germany. Those who have lived in both of the countries claim the rent prices in the U.K. are almost double the rates in Germany. Check the Gehalt.de – the best German resource which provides information on all wages in the country. I give helpful and insightful information about getting German citizenship, education, food, lifestyle, fashion and so much more! A single person estimated monthly costs are 940.2$ (877.6€) without rent. Cost Of Living In Germany For Indian Family in 2023 - Niyo Housing costs—either for renting or buying—are likely to make up the largest share of your monthly . Transportation. As in many other countries, the costs of housing, food, and items have risen steadily, but German salaries are also not far behind! Owning a car isn’t cheap in Germany, especially regarding fuel, insurance, parking, and maintenance. Germany is one of the cheapest countries you can have a standard living across the globe. Yvonne and I spend 1.431 euros a month on rent. Students at universities might have to pay a semester contribution fee, which could be between 50 and 300 euros. On average, a one-way ticket is €2.40–3.70, depending on the number of zones covered. The median after-tax salary is $3283, which is enough to cover living expenses for 2 months. The United States holds place 10th. Germany ranked 30th vs 5th for the United States in the list of the most expensive countries in the world. Recent fuel prices in Germany are €1.75. With the information of the above necessary expenses, you can be sure to have the best of fun as you work or start your new life as a couple in this country. You can purchase a used bike at a flea market for as little as 25 euros or buy a new decent bike from a shop for 500 euros. Comparisons improve with every new data that you enter. I share my experiences as a German immigrant. According to the StepStone Salary Report 2021 the average gross salary in Germany in 2021 is 56,985 EUR or 4,748 EUR monthly. Both of them have a job, and where women usually work part-time. For example, imagine that you accidentally cause someone to trip and break their leg. The bank uses this to measure to determine your monthly loan installment. Based on income alone, about half of all families in Germany belong to the middle class. The color of each marker corresponds with the cost of living in the city red markers show more expensive cities green ones show cheaper cities This includes the type of education you are going to offer your kids, health care, household expenses, medical bills, and the kind of house you are going to live in. Groceries are much cheaper. For instance, Munich is the most expensive place to live in the country. Many people have always been left in a huge dilemma, wondering where they should settle between Germany and the United Kingdom. Other percentages are similar to families with children. Some German regions and cities are more expensive than others. Only 42% of the salary is spent on housing, daycare, and travel costs. The term for a shared apartment in Germany is Wohngemeinschaft or WG for short. Furthermore, the government supports families with children and grants child benefits of 219 EUR per child every month for your first two kids. Regardless of whether you are a German resident or a foreigner, the fact is the country offers excellent services that make life affordable for students. All costs have to be considered. The average cost of living in Germany is 28% less expensive than in the US. The city you live in and the location of your flat will also influence the price. Cost of Living in Frankfurt | Expat Arrivals According to Mercer's 2022 Cost of Living Survey, Frankfurt is Germany's fourth most expensive city, after Munich, Berlin and Hamburg. From other sources, the average cost of living for families with two children is distributed as follows: According to the German statistics, each 4-person household (family with two children) has an average gross monthly income of 6,470 EUR or an average net gain of 4,840 EUR. Costs vary depending on your age, profession, health, and insurance coverage. Most expats rent in Germany. If you would like to have a credit card, you might need to pay a yearly fee to the bank. Related Guide: Best Internet Providers in Germany. Married couples are taxed on a joint income. The additional things you can insure are: You can expect to pay somewhere between 50 to 150 euros a year. Rent in Germany is, on average, 46.7% lower than in United States. The system in most German cities is great. Be aware that internet and electricity are rarely part of the rental price. So you better take good care of your German nest. As per the data from our users on costoffling.com website, rental expenses for family is $1338 for students is $763 and for bachelor is $866. Having legal insurance in Germany will definitely help you out in tough moments and, hopefully, save you tons of money. So be sure to ask your future employer about this. I used to pay for my credit card 25 euros a year, and it did not include any special benefits really, which is why I canceled it and got a free credit card instead. ₹3,500 per week. Housing costs will be the most significant part of your cost of living in Germany. This explains why, for a decent life in the country, couples should both be working to help pay all their bills. The cost of living in regions of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Hesse is the highest in Germany. A single person estimated monthly costs are 995.5$ (930.4€) without rent. Where is it cheaper? The percentage of taxes ranges between a progressive 14% and 42%. It might take a while until you find a place to live. However, rents drop significantly for families who choose to stay away from major German hubs, or prefer more rural locations. How much money do you need to live a comfortable German lifestyle? A bottle of mid-range wine will set you back €5 from the supermarket, while medium-priced vodka costs €6.99–29.99 for a 0.7-liter bottle. In Germany, everyone with public health insurance pays the same amount, which is 14,6% of the gross monthly salary. On the other hand, the lowest housing costs in Germany are in Bremen and Leipzig. Cost of Living in Germany: prices in 662 cities compared - Livingcost.org Discounters such as Aldi and Lidl offer unbeatable prices. Parents can also receive an allowance for two to 14 months, depending on their situation. Therefore, you must consider this expense in your budget. A typical rate for a SIM card with enough internet data is around 20 EUR per month. Cost of Living in Germany. Prices in Germany. Updated Jun 2023 - Numbeo For a subsidized daycare, you can expect to pay between 100 and 200 euros a month per child. Remember, Stuttgart, Munich, and Berlin are the cities with the highest rental prices. Can Foreigners Get a Mortgage in Germany? Average utility costs are around 200 EUR for a family living in a 2-3 bedroom apartment. Or are you planning to visit the country and you are wondering about the life awaiting abroad? For a breakdown of students living expenses, get a look at this review. A typical German family contains two spouses and two kids. Alternatively, you can also pick up on a German sport to get exercising. The cost of all their essential items, including; rent, cost of bills, and utilities, are highly subsidized and cheap to ensure they favor their citizens and anyone who visits there. Read about setting up your phone, TV, and internet for more information. For example, a dress from a chain store costs about €36. Terms of Use and 549.70 €. The average gas consumption in Germany in 2021 was around 7,35 liters per 100 km. America's Big City Brain Drain - The New York Times The most expensive German cities to rent are Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg. Childcare isn’t very expensive in Germany but can be of a significant amount in cities like Munich or Frankfurt. However, Germany's cost of living tends to be higher than the European Union (EU) average. You can expect to pay the following: a semester fee living costs (rent, food, clothing, books, telephone etc) health insurance and - depending on the German state in which you are located - tuition fees Cost of Living in Germany Furthermore, families planning to buy their own homes in Germany can apply for a mortgage. Read more about mortgages in Germany here. Self-employed individuals should organize private health insurance. Summary of cost of living in Germany: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,190.6$ (2,978.1€) without rent. In some cases, the kitchen might be for sale, and you will be able to purchase it. Summary of cost of living in Frankfurt am Main. 21 Things to Know Before Moving to Germany from the US Their rates range between 0,15 and 0,19 cents per minute. You can expect to pay between 50 and 150 euros a month. Expats that are employed by a company can arrange to pay insurance premiums through a subsidized company insurer. For a family of 2 non-vegetarian female adults, we spend an average of 150 euros a week. Cost Of Living Index By Country Cost of Living Estimator Basket of Goods and Services Update Data for Your City Quality of Life Index (Current) Quality of Life Index by Country Health Care Index (Current) Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 7.00 € Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.05 € Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 1.84 € Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) In Germany, 49,7% of families live in their own properties, and about 50,3% prefer to rent accommodations. Basic insurance for students starts at around €110. Moving to Germany as a family can be a challenge but also a rewarding experience, thanks to the country’s high quality of life. The employer contributes half of it. However, despite being the capital, Berlin still has affordable rents in some areas. Cost of Living for a Family in Germany [2023 Guide] - expatrist.com German households also pay an extra 15 EUR for TV (which is mandatory). Cost of living in Frankfurt am Main, Germany - Expatistan © All Rights Reserved. It would also cover any legal consultation you have with a lawyer. Typical monthly expenses for a family with two kids living in Germany (EUR). This means you will need to pay 55,08 euros every quarter.