Generally, Germany has a high cost of living, but compared to other western countries, the cost is relatively equal. Munich is the most expensive city in Germany and has been ranked 72nd in a recent survey out of 209 cities. It is also cheaper than London and Paris but expensive than Brussels and Madrid. Prices of accommodation vary depending on the type and size of the neighborhood. School fees, particularly for international schools, is expensive, as is private healthcare. You also find that items such as clothes and cellular phones aren’t cheap either. If you are looking for a shop to buy fashion online, you can always try out HessNatur. Below, the cost of living in Germany is examined in detail.
Average German Rent rates
Particularly for international students arriving in Germany, the first and biggest concern is finding an appropriate location to rent. When a city is labeled as expensive to live in, this primarily depends on the cost of rent as it is one of the greatest expenses you will have to meet while in Germany. As expected, rents in the downtown areas are relatively high, and if you are thinking of handling them by yourself, you may find it hard with the student’s budget. The best way to make it affordable is by finding a person such as a fellow student to share with the apartment and thus the cost. Typically, big cities like Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich, and Hamburg tend to be more expensive than Karlsruhe and Leipzig. The cost will mainly vary depending on the area you are looking for and the conditions you are looking for in the apartment. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in a city center will have a monthly rent of less than €700. In peripheral areas, you’ll find a one-bedroom apartment for about €500 per month. For large, fully furnished apartments situated in the city center, the monthly rent rate will range from €1,000 to €1,500.
University Tuition fees
Though certain universities in Germany have reintroduced international students’ tuition fees, higher education in Germany is free. As an international student, the only payment you ought to pay in Germany is the semester contribution, which is paid for certain university services, including sports facilities, administrative assistance, dining halls, and bus travel, among others. The free tuition in Germany tends to alleviate a significant part of the financial burden. However, it would be best if you kept in mind that you will have to cover the cost of living. As a student, Germany is not an expensive country. Tips that will help you save hugely include planning the area you will live and ensuring you appropriately manage your expenses. The specific factors that affect the cost of living in Germany will include your type of lifestyle and the area that you have settled in. Lesser populated regions tend to be more affordable as compared to bigger cities.
Regions with the highest cost of living in German
Generally, the most expensive part to live in Germany is south Germany. Stuttgart and Munich are two of the largest cities in south Germany. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment will cost about €846 in Stuttgart while the same will average at €50 in Bremen, Northern Germany, which is over 30% cheaper. Berlin, the country’s capital, when compared to most capital cities in Europe and other big cities in Germany, isn’t that expensive. Housing rent will be the most expensive expenditure you will incur in Berlin. On average, a small apartment in Berlin will average €795. Cities in the east of Germany and around Berlin are also cheap. One of the cities that’s most affordable to live in Germany is Leipzig
Cost of transportation in Germany
A student’s life is always characterized by moving, ensuring you aren’t late for classes. The decision that will be most beneficial when it comes to saving money and time is on the type of transport you will use. University bus tickets will be covered by the semester contribution you make. If you will need another transportation type, ensure you first know how much it costs. During rush hours and in overcrowded towns, one of the best ways to move from one destination to the next is by using a bicycle. Public transport is the cheapest form of transport to go for. On local public transport, a one-way ticket averages about €2. Regular travelers can go for the monthly ticket option, which averages at €70.
In conclusion, with this article, students wishing to travel to Germany for their studies will have a clear picture of the amount it will cost them.