✦ Cost of living
Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
US = 100
In plain terms: Hamburg is about 10% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,200/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing125+25%
- Food & groceries106+6%
- Transport86−14%
- Utilities128+28%
- Healthcare95−5%
- Goods & services106+6%
Good to know before you move to Hamburg
Germany's second city and biggest port — a wealthy media, trade and startup hub laced with canals and red-brick warehouses. Greener and more liveable than Berlin and cheaper than Munich, with the catch of grey, wet, windy weather.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- German
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 150 Mbps
- English
- Widely spoken
- Safety
- 66/100
- Climate
- ❄ 2°C · ☀ 18°C · 100 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- F · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Sternschanze · St. Pauli · Eimsbüttel · HafenCity
About
“Gateway to the World”
Germany's second city and biggest port — a wealthy media, trade and startup hub laced with canals and red-brick warehouses. Greener and more liveable than Berlin and cheaper than Munich, with the catch of grey, wet, windy weather.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- German
- Coordinates
- 53.55, 9.99
- 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
38/100
Internet
150 Mbps
Jan avg
+2 °C
Jul avg
+18 °C
Sunny days
100/yr
Walkability
78/100
Public transit
82/100
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 Hamburg, DE?
Hamburg, DE's cost-of-living index is 110 (US average = 100) — about 10% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,200 per month.
What are the average living costs in Hamburg, DE?
Living costs in Hamburg, DE are about 10% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 110 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,200. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Hamburg, DE?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,200 per month, and around $850 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 Hamburg, DE?
Hamburg, DE averages around +2 °C in January and +18 °C in July, with roughly 100 sunny days a year.
Is Hamburg, DE safe?
Hamburg, 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.