Hamburg Vs Berlin Vs Munich Cost of Living, which one will be more suitable to live in?
Germany is one of the most affordable countries so does the most popular city Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich. However, Munich is one of the costliest places to live for the natives as well as the emigrants. However, people from many countries came here for jobs and study.
Hamburg Vs Berlin Vs Munich Cost of Living for a single person will be 1805€, 1809€, and 1992€ respectively. Moreover, for a family, the cost will increase to 4398 €in Hamburg, 4030€ in Berlin, and 4634€ Munich. That means in both of the ways Munich will have the highest range of living cost.
Moreover, living quality in the capital has a rating of around 96 which is lower than 94 for the other two cities. Below, I will be illustrating all the details justifying that statement. To know more you will have to stick with me till the end of the discussion.
Hamburg Vs Berlin Vs Munich Cost of Living
Three of the mentioned name in the title, Hamburg, Berlin, and Much are the major cities of Germany. The Federal Republic of Germany is in central Europe and the second most populous country. This country has 2055 cities and among them, the mentioned three are the most popular.
People from all around the world come to visit and live in this country. Because the economic, political, and historical placement of this country is far better than many popular countries. Moreover, international students from many places choose this country for their higher education.
One of the main reasons for choosing this country is the free education scheme for international students. Besides, this country is considered to be the heaven of engineering students. Because all the universities here offer plenty of courses focusing on practical and real-life implementation of education.
Mostly, students get their destination during their study here. Because all the giant companies collaborated with different universities. Also, they have a separate program to fiancé the startup of students. That is why people both students and others choose Germany, specifically, Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg to live in.
Overall, living costs in these three cities will be extremely subjective. It will depend on the choice of people of different factors. Such as,
1. Which area will they live in?
2. Which type of Apartment?
3. How much will be the traveling time?
4. Is there any children?
5. what is the food habit? And many more.
First of all, Berlin is the Capital of Germany with tremendous opportunities in every sector. However, this is the most affordable and livable capital of the world. On the other hand, Munich is the most expensive city in Germany so Hamburg.
Normally, living in Germany as a single person will need 934€ according to the government. So, one can estimate that in every city, an international student or a person can live properly with that amount.
Now we will be comparing these three cities in different ways to give a proper idea about the situation. If you are planning to move for a job or study in Germany and get opportunities in these three countries, the discussion below will help to choose one of these.
Overall Living cost, Hamburg Vs Berlin Vs Munich
Amazingly, living in these cities will be more efficient than in many popular cities of the world. Mainly, living in Berlin will be 45%, Munich will be 35%, and Hamburg will be 44% cheaper than New York. It is not like the living quality here is lower.
The wonderful fact is, it will be close or even better to live in these cities. Because of the more consciousness of hygiene, about the environment, and the propriety of keeping the world green.
Specifically, the living quality in berlin is 98 which is more than almost every city in the USA and other popular cities like Milan. Moreover, Munich has a rating of 93 and Hamburg is 94.
| Area | Hamburg | Berlin | Munich |
| Cost of living one person | $1757 or 1805€ | $1761 or 1809€ | $1941 or 1992€ |
| Cost of living Family | $4338 or 4398€ | $3980 or 4030€ | $4585 or 4634€ |
| One person rent | $967 or 1030€ | $982 or 1032€ | $1151 or 1199€ |
| Family rent | $1777 or 1830€ | $1699 1749€ | $2075 or 2134€ |
| Food expenses | $415 or 465€ | $371 421€ | $450 or 499€ |
| Transport expenses | $240 or 290€ | $271373€ | $196 or 245€ |
| Monthly salary after tax | $3018 or 3060€ | $3122 3171€ | $3228 or 3277€ |
| Higher education | 83 | 100 | 86 |
| Quality of life | 94 | 98 | 93 |
Among these three cities, Munich will be the most expensive one for both a single person and a family. Specifically, those living in this city as international students someone single will have to spend $1941. Meanwhile for, berlin and Hamburg, it will be around $1700 per month.
The scenario will be the same for a family of four people. Munich will be more expensive than Hamburg. Berlin will be the cheapest one among these three.
If I demonstrate the cost, rent in berlin will be the second highest, if they choose to stay in a studio apartment it will be around $980. But they can rent a shared apartment for only $290 for a room. As I was saying, the overall living cost will be extremely subjective.
However, rent in Munich is the highest and Hamburg is the lowest but almost the same as in Berlin. For a studio apartment, they will have to pay at least $1100 in Munich and for a shared apartment, the cost will be $580.
As for other expenses like food, transportation, education, and others, all the cities will be close to each other. Because Germany has a standard range that does not have a huge difference. Moreover, people living in the most expensive city Munich will eat the same if they live in Berlin.
Hamburg Vs Munich
I have already mentioned quite some time that in the difference in overall living costs, Munich will be in the first position and Hamburg will be in the second. That means living in Hamburg will be at least 7% cheaper than living in Munich.
Let’s demonstrate the cost difference in these two cities of different criteria below.
Differences in Housing and utility costs
First of all, I am going to compare the housing cost of Hamburg and Munich. I have pic these two cities first because these are the two most expensive cities. Overall, renting a studio apartment in Munich city center will be 25% and outside the center, it will be 30% overpriced than Hamburg.
The rent of a house for a family will face the same consequence of 21% and 26% cost. However, utilities in Munich will be around 10% cheaper than the other city.
Food cost differences
After managing the roof over the head, the other main concern of every human being is food. It is also one of the major costs in the living cost calculator. Sometimes it is the second most expensive of a person’s monthly life or a family.
Cities like the mentioned name stay quite busy because of the work-life and personal life balance. Many international students live alone and they hardly can make time prepared meals. That is why most of the time, many people prefer a meal in a good restaurant with their loved ones or alone.
In that case, eating outside in an inexpensive restaurant will be around 15% cheaper in Hamburg. However, all the other things like groceries will have a difference of zero or close to zero most of the time. But protein-based like fish, egg, and meat will be a little more e affordable in Munich than the other city.
Transportation Cost Differences
Most of the time, people have their car in all the cities of Germany. Because this country is the birthplace of world-class and famous automobiles like BMW and Mercedes. So, they will be paying the Gasoline cost based on their uses. But the price of the fuel of the car will be expensive in Hamburg comparatively.
If we have our focus on public transport, a daily pass is expensive in Munich but the monthly subscription here will be a highly convenient option.
Berlin Vs Hamburg living cost calculation
Berlin is the capital of Germany and the most happening city in this country. Hamburg is another popular city at least 2 to 3 hours’ drive distance from the capital. Germany is a quite big country compared to the other countries of the EU. So, moving from one city to another takes time.
That is what creates little or huge differences in the living costs of different cities. From a point of view that the minimum wage range of every city and the tax rate is fixed. But the housing cost has a huge conflict, as well as the mandatory expenses like food and utilities, get affected. In this part, we will be comparing these two cities from different angles.
Total accommodation cost variation
Starting with the most expensive expense, Hamburg is going to be lower than berlin by at least 10%. Renting any type of accommodation in Hamburg will be cheaper. However, if one is planning to buy an apartment or house, berlin is going to be the most efficient decision.
There will be many factors altering the fact such as mortgage and price per square foot normally, Berlin is one of the most affordable capital which offers sensible living. Here, buying a place will be lower comparatively by at least 5%.
Moreover, the utilities cost here will be cheaper which does not include too much to the living cost.
Differences in total food cost
Can you imagine living without food? Well, it is not possible even if one wants to do so. Any living being will have to eat a minimum range to lead a healthy life. Luckily, in Germany, the cost of food both at home and outside is quite affordable.
Since I am comparing Berlin and Hamburg, people will face at least an 8% rise in food costs than the capital. Mainly, eating outside will be expensive in this city. As for the groceries, it will depend on the items and many shops.
But the minimum thing we can guess is, berlin is going to be efficient in the case of food of different types.
Transportation cost differences
Another necessary cost for a single person or even a family is the transportation cost. As I was saying, the geographical area of this country is quite large. So, one cannot walk from one place to another. They will have to take public transport or a taxi. Also, driving a private car will be reasonable here.
In comparison to these two cities, berlin is going to be cheaper than Hamburg in transportation too. In every option, taxi, bus, train, or using a private car, people can save much in Berlin.
Munich Vs Berlin cost of living
In this section, I am going to compare the most expensive city Munich and one of the most affordable cities Berlin. Before even starting the details, we can understand that Munich is going to be a lot more costly than the capital.
Normally, people believe that living in the capital of a country is the most expensive. But it is not true for most of the countries of the Europe Union including Germany. Let’s see how much difference they shares.
Differences in Housing and utility costs
Compared to berlin, housing cost in Munich is a nightmare for the people coming here from other countries. Mainly, the international students studying in the most renowned universities here suffer the most because of that overpriced accommodation.
Specifically, Berlin is going to be at least 135 cheaper in case of rent and utilities. Moreover, if you are planning to buy a house or apartment, Munich will be more than 40% more costly.
| Accommodation | Munich | Berlin | Differences |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 1,383.26 € | 1,233.43 € | -10.83 % |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1,042.82 € | 896.56 € | -14.03 % |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 2,481.15 € | 2,209.61 € | -10.94 % |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 1,929.24 € | 1,618.95 € | -16.08 % |
| Price per Square Meter in City Centre | 12,373.91 € | 8,117.86 € | -34.40 % |
| Price per Square Meter Outside of the Centre | 9,097.25 € | 5,352.27 € | -41.17 % |
| Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage | 283.82 € | 293.59 € | +3.44 % |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | 0.10 € | 0.11 € | +10.82 % |
| Internet | 36.02 € | 37.76 € | +4.82 % |
Cost of Food variation
Well, in the case of food, most of the time Munich is the expensive option. In some cases, they have a difference of zero amount. We have already mentioned above that, the groceries cost of different cities in Germany will have a similar range. Even if they have differences, they will be extremely low. However, food in the restaurant will have a huge price difference.
The same goes for these two cities. Eating outside in Munich will be more costly berlin. But in the case of groceries, they will share almost no variation.
Transportation cost differences
Well, a good thing is the public transport in Munich is a lot more affordable than in Berlin. The monthly pass in Munich is around 59.10 € while it’s 86.00 € in Berlin. Difference of almost 46% which is huge. Moreover, taking a taxi of any type will be expensive in Berlin. But driving a personal car is efficient here compared to other cities.
From the overall discussion above, you can get to the conclusion that Berlin is the most affordable city. Moreover, international students highly prefer this city because of the education quality which is 100/100, and English-speaking job opportunities.
Hamburg is in the second position in living cost but in third in the case of education of international students. On the other hand, Munich is the most expensive city among this three with a better education than Hamburg.
If someone is planning to move to Munich, they should keep the fact in mind that it is the most expensive city in the entire Germany. So, they need to have the ability to support that cost.
If you are asking for suggestions from me, I will suggest berlin because of the huge opportunities, better living quality, and education. If you are to choose one among them, you should better choose Berlin. However, all of these cities are wonderful with their unique environment, different opportunities, and natural diversity.
What is the scenario of the wage range in Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg?
It is important to know the opportunities in a country or city before deciding to live there permanently. Well, German law is quite simple and does not have much variation from city to city. In the case of the minimum wage, every city has the same law. As of 2022, the minimum wage of this country is 12 €per hour which get increased by more than 2€ than the previous rate.
That means a full-time employee with a minimum range will have a 400 € per month. Moreover, an average monthly income of a full-time employee will be around 3,380 euros and 40,000 Euros per year. If we compare the cost with the cost of a family then it will not be hard to live in any of those cities. If that family has two breadwinners, then it will be a lot easier.
Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week which is 80 hours per month. If we calculate it with the minimum wage range, it will be 960 euros per month. That means they can easily live their life and study in any of those cities.
Because they will need the highest of 934 euros per month according to the government. Moreover, they can still lower their living expense. Some of the students even get a scholarship from their attending university which help them in their livelihood as a student.
How to reduce living costs in Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg?
Are you afraid that all the explanation of living cost above in three major cities of Germany is out of your range? Do not get disappointed. Because the calculation above is not fixed. One can reduce the overall cost or increases it according to their desire and need.
Well, it is possible to lead a good life in these cities by lowering the living cost by 300 € or more. For that, one will have to look at the highest expense which is housing. We already know that the place of the apartment decides the rent highly.
If your budget is short, it will be an excellent idea if you choose a place outside the city center. Also, if you are an international student, it will be best if you apply for a student dorm and get one. though it is extremely tough to get housing in Berlin and Munich, Hamburg is better in that case.
Moreover, instead of renting a studio apartment, they can go for a room in a shared apartment. It will reduce the housing cost by at least 45%. Then the overall cost will get a dramatic decrease.
Moreover, people should eat more healthy food and home-cooked food instead of eating in a fancy restaurant. They can also look into transport too. Normally, universities in Germany provide a semester pass that can be used as public transport.
However, if you are traveling outside the university zone, you can take any public transport instead of a private taxi. It may seem little at once but if you calculate it on monthly basis, it will be huge.
Well, there are many factors one can look into to reduce the cost and live a happy life in Germany’s most wonderful cities. Overall, the opportunities there are never ending and one can happily choose any city in Germany.
Since it is in the center of Europe, people will get a lot more opportunities here. Mainly, in the Capital, Berlin, they will have a healthy living with lower rent, transportation, and food cost. Also, the education quality and life expectations will be higher here. Therefore, making the final choice is on the person who is planning to move and they should be wise while making their decision.
