✦ Cost of living
Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Germany
US = 100
In plain terms: Stuttgart is about 9% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,150/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing120+20%
- Food & groceries106+6%
- Transport86−14%
- Utilities128+28%
- Healthcare95−5%
- Goods & services106+6%
Is Stuttgart expensive?
Yes, moderately. Stuttgart indexes at 109 against a US average of 100 — roughly 9% above it. That is above average without being in the top bracket, and which neighbourhood you rent in decides most of the gap.
Of the 87 cities we track, Stuttgart ranks #26 by overall cost — 61 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Stuttgart costs
One person
$2,760/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$3,930/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$6,870/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $850 | $1,150 | $2,200 |
| Food & groceries | $490 | $710 | $1,190 |
| Transport | $520 | $760 | $1,270 |
| Utilities | $260 | $380 | $640 |
| Healthcare | $270 | $390 | $660 |
| Goods & services | $370 | $540 | $910 |
| Total per month | $2,760 | $3,930 | $6,870 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Stuttgart
Germany's car-industry heartland (Mercedes and Porsche are born here) — an affluent, hilly city ringed by vineyards with high wages and a strong engineering job market. Costs sit near the German top end, just below Munich, and housing is tight.
- Currency
- Euro (€ EUR)
- Languages
- German
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Internet
- 150 Mbps
- English
- Widely spoken
- Safety
- 70/100
- Climate
- ❄ 1°C · ☀ 20°C · 110 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- F · 230V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Mitte · West · Süd · Bad Cannstatt
About
“The cradle of the automobile”
Germany's car-industry heartland (Mercedes and Porsche are born here) — an affluent, hilly city ringed by vineyards with high wages and a strong engineering job market. Costs sit near the German top end, just below Munich, and housing is tight.
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Languages
- German
- Coordinates
- 48.78, 9.18
- 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
Quality of life
72/100
Safety
70/100
Healthcare
84/100
Pollution
42/100
Internet
150 Mbps
Jan avg
+1 °C
Jul avg
+20 °C
Sunny days
110/yr
Walkability
74/100
Public transit
80/100
Family-friendly
74/100
Living there
- English spoken
- High
- Expat community
- Medium
- Coworking spaces
- 25
- 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) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Stuttgart without a car?
76/100
Car-free score
74/100
Walkability
80/100
Public transport
Yes — Stuttgart scores 76/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Stuttgart indexes at 86 against a US average of 100 — about 14% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Stuttgart ranks #52 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Stuttgart — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$1,150
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$850
- Inexpensive meal$15
- Monthly transit pass$100
- Utilities (monthly)$260
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Stuttgart, DE expensive to live in?
Stuttgart, DE's cost-of-living index is 109 (US average = 100) — about 9% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #26 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $2,760 a month and a family of four around $6,870, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Stuttgart, DE?
Stuttgart, DE's cost-of-living index is 109 (US average = 100) — about 9% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,150 per month.
What are the average living costs in Stuttgart, DE?
Living costs in Stuttgart, DE are about 9% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 109 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,150. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Stuttgart, DE?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,150 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 Stuttgart, DE?
Stuttgart, DE averages around +1 °C in January and +20 °C in July, with roughly 110 sunny days a year.
Is Stuttgart, DE safe?
Stuttgart, DE scores 70 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Stuttgart, DE without a car?
Stuttgart, DE scores 76/100 on our car-free score — 74/100 for walkability and 80/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Stuttgart with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.