How Much Does It Cost to Live In Berlin?
Berlin welcomes students from all over the world to study and work here.
The city policy is very convenient for young people who can afford a budget living and working.
The average bill in the supermarkets is $50 a week when you buy simple products and goods.
Sharing an apartment not far from the city center will cost around $1500.
And there are numerous attractions that you can visit and experience here.
The prices in the capital city of Germany are traditionally higher than in any other city of the federal republic.
Germany : Cost of Living by City
- Aachen
- Berlin
- Bonn
- Bremen
- Cologne
- Dresden
- Dusseldorf
- Frankfurt
- Hamburg
- Hanover
- Heidelberg
- Karlsruhe
- Leipzig
- Mannheim
- Munich
- Nuremberg
- Stuttgart
RESTAURANTS
People with well-developed food choices will find Berlin the city of a great variety of restaurants for everyone.
From the small cafeteria and fast food establishments to the eateries with national cuisine, as well as Italian, French, Japanese, and Turkish meals.
The prices range accordingly, from less than 10 dollars for a combo meal to hundreds of dollars in a luxurious restaurant.
MARKETS
If you are looking for a fruit and vegetable diversity in the main city of Germany, go to the local markets.
You can not only buy food but try anything you like before the purchase and if you are hungry this can be quite a quick meal for you.
The markets are numerous and locate in different parts of the city starting from the railway station and deep into the city.
TRANSPORTATION
There are three zones of public transportation in Berlin and the prices depend exactly on the zone of your interest.
You can use one of the three lines of metro, one of which is terrestrial, the other one is underground and the third is circular.
If you don’t like the metro, you can go by tram or rent a bicycle which is extremely popular here if only you do not travel with a baby or a puppy.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Monthly utility bills include water, electricity, garbage, and conditioning and cost an average of $273.76.
This is about 10% of the average net salary and even people with minimum wages can allow paying for the home comforts.
If you rent a house you split the bill and the price becomes more than affordable even for the less financially protected citizens.
SPORTS & LEISURE
In Berlin, people tend to think that sports and active leisure are part of their daily responsibilities.
Therefore, plenty of recreational locations open their doors to all the willing visitors.
The most popular sports in Berlin are hockey and basketball, but the first place is naturally given to football.
Besides the ball games, you can go swimming, parasailing or playing golf.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Berlin is similar to other capital cities in Europe in terms of shopping.
Rows of shops, stores, outlets, budget spaces, and luxurious boutiques spread across the city.
Keep in mind, that shopping on Sundays is impossible since all the malls and shops are closed except for some stores in the railway station area.
RENT PER MONTH
Renting an apartment in Berlin looks like an escape game where you have to find the way out by weighing up the pros and cons.
Either you would like to live in an ancient house in a silent area with old German neighbors, or you want to be a part of nightlife in a modern building, it’s up to you to decide.
The prices range from $967 to $731 for one-bedroom apartments and $1810 to $1288 for three bedrooms.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Berlin
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $8.96 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $3.92 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.99 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.94 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.58 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.20 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $3.14 |
| Monthly Pass | $90.73 |
| Gasoline | $1.59 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $273.76 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.10 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $34.90 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $28.12 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $19.95 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $12.32 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $86.81 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $34.54 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $97.15 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $967.98 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $731.64 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1810.39 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Berlin?
As you can see from the prices for monthly rent in Berlin, most of the money is left there, in the landlords’ hands.
Markets and restaurants are more loyal and do not make an average person give all their money if they want to eat organic farmer food from the market or a cooked meal in a cafe.
Monthly passes for transportation can also save you a good deal of income especially if you do not use them often or ride a bike.
Clothing and shoes are off the priority.
People tend to go sports more than they go shopping.
Average Costs Breakdown
Berlin: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Average monthly salary in the capital of Germany and one of the largest cities here is $2402,79.
Of course, the local national currency is euro so the sum is less for locals.
The minimum wage has increased in the past years to $1782,8 and this is quite a good sum of money for young people, new employees, and workers.
You can own an apartment or rent it but still want another private living space.
The banks and brokers foresee these situations and offer to take a 20-year housing mortgage at 1.93% annual interest.
Berlin Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Berlin Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Berlin
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Aachen | 67.33 |
| Bonn | 69.14 |
| Bremen | 68.93 |
| Cologne | 67.36 |
| Dresden | 65.92 |
| Dusseldorf | 73 |
| Frankfurt | 71.64 |
| Hamburg | 72.15 |
| Hanover | 64.57 |
| Heidelberg | 70.82 |
| Karlsruhe | 69.26 |
| Leipzig | 66.04 |
| Mannheim | 68.35 |
| Munich | 73.79 |
| Nuremberg | 66.44 |
| Stuttgart | 67.46 |
