What does it cost to live in the German capital?

Berlin is not only characterized by its unique architecture: Centrally located in Europe, it is a mecca for creative people from science, industry, culture and the media. In addition, highly regarded sports, education, health and transportation institutions make Berlin one of the most liveable cities for its 3.65 million inhabitants – far beyond Germany’s borders. Despite the massive population growth of recent decades, the cost of living in Berlin is still comparatively affordable. The moving history of the German capital also contributes to its unique character. But back to the actual question. By now, you are probably convinced that moving to Berlin makes sense if you long for the big city life. However, it may still be worth taking a look at the cost of living.

The average cost of buying real estate in Berlin is €6,245.65/m². This means that real estate prices are cheaper than in other major German and European cities. To be more precise, you pay almost half as much for an apartment in Berlin as you would for an apartment in Paris and just under a third of what you would have to pay in London. The price per square meter is also lower compared to other German cities such as Frankfurt, Munich or Hamburg. If you would like to know what prices you can expect to pay in the respective districts, the following overview will help you:

What you spend on food naturally depends on which supermarkets you prefer, how often you go shopping and how often you are tempted to eat out. Roughly speaking, the average food costs for couples are around 453 euros per month. Families should be able to make do with around 750 euros.

Berlin offers a variety of options to satisfy different culinary preferences. If you don’t want to swing the cooking spoon yourself, the prices range from snack bar to Michelin-starred restaurant. Falafel on bread is available from 2.50 euros. If you don’t want to miss out on the real restaurant experience, you can be happy for as little as 8 to 12 euros. For more upmarket cuisine, you can spend 15 to 25 euros. You can eat in a Michelin-starred restaurant from 50 euros.

Public transport in Berlin is divided into areas A, B and C, with A and B being the city center (Berlin-Brandenburg Airport falls into area C). Tickets are valid for trains, suburban trains, subway trains, streetcars and buses and are available for the AB area for 3.20 euros per single journey. Day tickets cost EUR 9.50, while monthly tickets cost EUR 91.00 per month and an annual subscription costs EUR 66.90 per month. As of 01.05.2023, the Deutschlandticket offers the opportunity to use all public transport including regional transport throughout Germany for 49 euros per month.

The metropolis thrives on its culture and for many people this is one of the main reasons for moving to Berlin. This also includes Berlin’s thriving music scene. For a visit to a club, whether day or night, you will spend between 5 and 20 euros. You can also see live music for 5 euros, but concert prices can rise above the 100 euro mark. Adults should expect to pay around 8 to 15 euros for admission to one of the 175 museums and those who like to cozy up with a good film in the cinema will pay around 8 to 12 euros for a ticket. Galleries, pubs, comedy events – the list of possibilities could go on forever. Ultimately, you decide which events you can and cannot miss.

Salaries in Berlin are similar to the national average at an average of 46,000 euros. In other German cities such as Munich or Hamburg, incomes are significantly higher in some cases, but as mentioned above, housing costs are considerably higher.

Anyone moving to Berlin wants an apartment that meets their own expectations. Location plays a major role in this. Below we would like to take a closer look at apartment prices in popular districts and help you find the right area.

Neukölln is currently the trendy district par excellence. With a colorful mix of long-established residents and newcomers, it enchants its inhabitants with an exciting atmosphere. Its charm also attracts a number of artists, creatives and free spirits, who in turn contribute to the character of the neighborhood. No matter where you go, there is a wide range of leisure and entertainment options such as cafés, second-hand stores and pubs. This makes it just as suitable for families as it is for singles who arrive in the city alone and want to conquer it for themselves. You can find a suitable apartment for an average of just over 6,000 euros per square meter.

Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg offer a wide range of leisure and nightlife options. The many nightclubs make the district particularly popular with young people. However, the offer goes far beyond that. Shopping facilities, restaurants, parks, daycare centers and schools make the area interesting for all age groups. The average apartment price is less than 8,000 euros per square meter.

In the western part of the center, life is a little quieter, but also more elegant. In short: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf stands for an upscale lifestyle. But that doesn’t make it any less exciting. You are perfectly connected to the rest of the city by public transport – if you want to leave at all. At an average of 8,700 euros per square meter, you will have to dig deeper into your pockets here than in any other district, but it’s worth it.

Mitte bildet das Herz der Stadt. Das betrifft nicht nur die Lage, sondern auch den geschichtlichen und kulturellen Hintergrund. Wer bei dem Bezirk allerdings nur an einen Ort voller Touristen-Attraktionen denkt, liegt falsch. Im aufstrebenden Wedding kommen auch Individualisten, die sich in einem authentischen Umfeld verwirklichen wollen, auf ihre Kosten. Die Wohnungspreise variieren hier stark und treffen sich im Durchschnitt bei unter 8.000 Euro pro Quadratmeter.

The average cost of living in Munich is 15.8 percent higher than in Berlin. Almost everything, with a few exceptions such as fresh food, is more expensive in Munich. This includes apartments, for which you have to budget 43 percent more. However, it should not be forgotten that incomes are higher in Munich.

Living in the German capital is significantly cheaper than in the UK, as the average cost of living in London is 34% higher than in Berlin. Rents in London are more than twice as high and if you want to buy an apartment, you pay 142 percent more than in Berlin. A visit to a restaurant also costs 59 percent more in London. Although both cities have well-functioning public transport, you pay 95 percent more for buses and trains and 50 percent more for cabs on the Thames than on the Spree. Only fresh food is slightly more expensive in Berlin.

Paris is also more expensive overall than Berlin. The 25 percent higher average cost of living is mainly due to the fact that housing costs are 50 percent higher and food costs are up to 40 percent higher than in Berlin. You also have to spend 30 percent more on eating out around the Eiffel Tower. Only public transportation is up to 35 percent cheaper in Paris.

There can be no doubt that the cost of living in Berlin is affordable compared to other major European cities. However, the population in Charlottenburg, Mitte and the like is growing steadily and rapidly (by an estimated 45,000 people a year) – and with it the prices. If you dream of being part of this unique metropolis, we therefore advise you to strike as soon as possible. If you are looking for a home in Berlin, we recommend you take a look at our portfolio.