✦ Cost of living

Germany

National taxes, visas and economy — plus every city we track in Germany.

The cost of living in Germany averages 111 on our index (a typical US city = 100) — about 11% more expensive. Among the cities we track, Cologne is the most affordable and Munich the priciest. A one-bedroom rent runs roughly $1,308/mo and the top income-tax rate is 45%. The average net salary is about $2,900/mo.

Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
Languages: German
Capital: Berlin
Driving: Right-hand side
Power: F · 230V

▤ Taxes

45%

Income tax

progressive

19%

VAT / sales

30%

Corporate

26.375%

Capital gains

$2,900

Avg net salary

per month

$2,716

Minimum wage

per month · Eurostat 2026

80.8 yr

Life expectancy

World Bank 2024

✈ Visas & residency

EU Blue Card and the new Opportunity Card (points-based job search).

✈ Schengen 90/180 for many; work needs a permit.

EU Blue Cardwork

Degree + salary threshold.

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)work

Points-based, job-seeking.

Settlement permitresidence

❖ Cities in Germany

CologneOverall cost index 106StuttgartOverall cost index 109BerlinOverall cost index 110HamburgOverall cost index 110FrankfurtOverall cost index 114MunichOverall cost index 121

Germany 🇩🇪

▤ Taxes

✈ Visas & residency

❖ Cities in Germany

⚖ Compare Germany with other countries

Germany