Berlin and Munich are mostly mentioned as some of the best cities for expats in Germany, but other places are often overlooked and deserve much more attention. In this article, we’ll explore the cheapest cities to live in Germany. Read on and pack your bags.
What affects the cost of living
Top 5 cheapest cities to live in Germany
FAQ—affordable cities in Germany
What affects the cost of living
Helpful articles about Germany before we go:
- German health insurance.
- ATMs in Germany: Tips for expats.
- Anmeldung in Germany: Step-by-step registration guide.
To enter the list of the cheapest cities in Germany, a town should have low prices for:
Rent
Expats know that finding the cheapest house rent in Germany is a challenge. In big and popular cities, the rent price can take 80% of your salary. The situation is better in smaller cities because there are fewer citizens and more spare apartments.
Groceries
Once you secure the cheapest rent in Germany, food is the next huge part of expenses. In smaller cities, shops tend to offer lower prices because of the local salaries. For example, milk in Halle costs 3.80 EUR on average, while in Berlin, the price goes up to 4.50 EUR. Yes, the capital is definitely not one of the cheapest cities to live in Germany.
Transportation
Popular destinations like Frankfurt, Berlin and others have a comfortable transportation system (one of the reasons why they are the best cities to live in Germany for expats), but you’ll spend some money on going back and forth. In less crowded towns, even a bike can be enough. Public transportation may work quite badly, though.
Taxes
If you google ‘Price compare Germany’, taxes are often missed when making such comparisons. However, they can affect the total cost of living. Some taxes differ between cities in Germany—church and trade taxes are not federal and vary depending on your location. Consider it when searching for the best cities in Germany for expats.
Entertainment
Tourist hotspots often double as the best cities to live in Germany for expats, especially when it comes to enjoying your free time. You'll have easy access to cultural attractions, stunning architecture, museums, and even free festivals and events. On the other hand, the cheapest cities in Germany may offer fewer entertainment options, but everyday costs—like cinema or theatre tickets—tend to be lower. Living there might mean creating your own fun, but it’s also a great chance to get creative and explore local life more deeply.
Your own habits
You can turn any place into the cheapest place to live in Germany. It’s all in your daily routine.
- Someone is okay with sharing a flat to pay the cheapest rent in Germany and split the bills between roommates. Others need private space.
- One’s eating habits include local dishes and cheaper products, while someone else needs seafood, which is quite expensive in Germany.
- One goes to a coffee shop every day and cannot live without their iced americano, while others can brew at home.
You get the idea, even if you stay in the cheapest city to live in Germany, your routine will affect the budget. So adjust some habits, if needed.
Something that you can easily control is your choice of a money transfer service. To send money from Germany to India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Moldova, Ghana and 90 more destinations, use Profee. This service is:
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- Fast. Most of the transfers arrive in minutes, faster than you sip your German beer.
Top 5 cheapest cities to live in Germany
Here is the list of the best cities for expats in Germany that are budget-friendly.
Halle
Halle is known to be one of the cheapest cities to live in Germany. Have a look:
- Rent prices for a one-bedroom apartment start from 300 EUR outside of the city centre. It’s almost the cheapest house rent in Germany.
- Basic utilities are around 128.21 EUR per month for an 85m2 apartment. Again, making flats in Halle one of the cheapest apartments for rent.
- Groceries prices are low compared to huge German cities. You can get milk (1l) for 1.02 EUR, eggs (12) for 3.30 EUR and apples (1kg) for 2.64 EUR.
Halle is one of the best cities to live in Germany for expats because it’s affordable and has a rich cultural life. You’ll be amazed by the architecture, too. A perfect blend of low prices and comfort. It’s suitable for international students, startups and those who prefer a quiet life.
Bielefeld
The next on our list of the cheapest cities to live in Germany is Bielefeld, located in the North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Expect to pay around 530 EUR for a one-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre. It’s not the cheapest house rent in Germany, but still very affordable.
- The average utility bills are 273.85 EUR per month for an 85m2 apartment. For you, we shared tips on how to save on utilities without losing comfort—read it to learn proven tips and use them for your own good.
- As for the groceries, the prices are similar to those of Halle. Milk (1l) costs 1.11 EUR, eggs (12) are around 3.33 EUR, and apples (1kg) — 2.72 EUR.
Bielefeld is a little more pricey than Halee but still stands among the cheapest places to live in Germany.
This place is good for students and those who avoid crowds. Plus, this town is one of the best cities in Germany for expats who love nature: it's close to the mountains and forests and has plenty of green spaces.
Passau
With a population of approximately 54,000 people, Passau is one of the best cities for expats in Germany to escape from modern rush, slow down and live without spending thousands of euros.
- Prices for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre start at 350 EUR. One of the cheapest apartments for rent you’ll be able to find in German cities (we’re not talking about villages here, it’s a whole other story).
- Basic utilities are 237.89 EUR per month for an 85m2 apartment. Could be better, but okay.
- Groceries are also relatively cheap. You can buy milk (1l) for 1.03 EUR, eggs (12) for 3.28 EUR and apples (1kg) for 2.51 EUR.
Passau is one of the best cities for expats in Germany, if you’re ready for a peaceful life with good restaurants far away from the megapolisis. Cons: you’ll need to know German well and be prepared for a lack of job opportunities.
Magdeburg
A city that holds a lot of festivals each year to entertain the locals, Magdeburg can be considered the cheapest place to live in Germany.
- The lowest price for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre can be around 280 EUR. Imagine sharing the rent with someone; your budget will be so thankful for that.
- The average utilities per month for an 85m2 apartment is 378.44 EUR. It's high, but we've already shared some tips on cutting costs to improve it.
- As for the groceries, milk (1l) is 1.05 EUR, eggs (12) is 3.28 EUR, and apples (1kg) are 2.81 EUR.
However, the crime rate in the city is above average in the country, so it may not feel safe, especially for families with kids. A good part, the atmosphere is accepting and welcoming.
Erfurt
The last on our list of the cheapest cities to live in Germany is Erfurt located in Thuringia. Martin Luther had been living there for several years as a monk, so it’s a place that can offer something interesting to the history explorers.
- The average price for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre is 480.67 EUR. It is not the cheapest city to live in Germany, but it is quite close to it.
- Utilities go up to 389.38 per month for an 85m2 apartment on average.
- Milk costs 1.06 EUR, eggs (12) are sold for 3.20 EUR, and apples (1kg) are 3.89 EUR.
- The city has good connections with other locations in Germany and, because of its architecture, has a medieval charm. It’s a nice place and one of the best cities for expats in Germany.
If you have a specific city in mind, try Googling “Price compare Germany” and “Germany city rankings” or head straight to Numbeo.com, a global cost-of-living comparison site from which we sourced the average prices for products, rent, and utilities for this article.
FAQ—affordable cities in Germany
Is Berlin cheap or expensive?
It depends on what you’re comparing it to. It’s often cheaper than other European capitals, but is expensive for expats outside of the EU.
Is 3,000 EUR enough in Germany?
As for 2025, a single person's monthly cost of living in Germany is 1,004 EUR, excluding rent. So yes, 3,000 EUR should be enough even if you rent an apartment.
How much is rent in Germany?
The average price for renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre is 885.83 EUR.
How to send money from Germany?
To transfer funds from Germany at market-beating rates, use an online service Profee. It offers little to no fees, a convenient interface and fast beneficial transfers. Go to profee.com to learn more.
