✦ Cost of living
Cologne
Cologne, Germany
US = 100
In plain terms: Cologne is about 6% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,050/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing112+12%
- Food & groceries105+5%
- Transport84−16%
- Utilities126+26%
- Healthcare95−5%
- Goods & services105+5%
Good to know before you move to Cologne
An easy-going media and culture city on the Rhine, crowned by its Gothic cathedral and famous for carnival and a warm, open crowd. More affordable and less corporate than Munich or Frankfurt, with a lively creative and startup scene.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- German
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 150 Mbps
- English
- Widely spoken
- Safety
- 66/100
- Climate
- ❄ 3°C · ☀ 19°C · 105 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- F · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Ehrenfeld · Belgisches Viertel · Südstadt · Nippes
About
“The Rhineland capital”
An easy-going media and culture city on the Rhine, crowned by its Gothic cathedral and famous for carnival and a warm, open crowd. More affordable and less corporate than Munich or Frankfurt, with a lively creative and startup scene.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- German
- Coordinates
- 50.94, 6.96
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
45%
Income tax
progressive
19%
VAT / sales
20%
Social (employee)
30%
Corporate
26.375%
Capital gains
$2,900
Avg net salary
per month
Plus 5.5% solidarity surcharge on high incomes.
Visas & residency
EU Blue Card and the new Opportunity Card (points-based job search).
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many; work needs a permit.
Degree + salary threshold.
Points-based, job-seeking.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
66/100
Healthcare
84/100
Pollution
40/100
Internet
150 Mbps
Jan avg
+3 °C
Jul avg
+19 °C
Sunny days
105/yr
Walkability
78/100
Public transit
80/100
Family-friendly
72/100
Living there
- English spoken
- High
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 35
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
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? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Cologne, DE?
Cologne, DE's cost-of-living index is 106 (US average = 100) — about 6% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,050 per month.
What are the average living costs in Cologne, DE?
Living costs in Cologne, DE are about 6% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 106 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,050. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Cologne, DE?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,050 per month, and around $780 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Germany?
Germany has a top income-tax rate of 45% and a VAT or sales tax of 19%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Cologne, DE?
Cologne, DE averages around +3 °C in January and +19 °C in July, with roughly 105 sunny days a year.
Is Cologne, DE safe?
Cologne, DE scores 66 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.