The ultimate guide to the cost of living in Berlin (2024)

Discover the cost of living in Berlin! Whether you're single or with a family, learn about expenses in Berlin: from rent and groceries to leisure and transport.

Marle

5 minute read

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Updated on 9 Oct 2024

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Living

Berlin's living expenses are just above the European average, yet this vibrant spot is the cheapest capital city in Western Europe! For the average single person, the cost of living in Berlin is €2,100 monthly.

It’s important to factor in the cost of living while you explore homes for rent in Berlin, so we’ve broken it down for you.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential costs of living in Berlin, including:

• The living expenses for a single person
• The cost of living for a family of 4
• Food costs in Berlin
• Rental prices in Berlin
• Transportation costs in Berlin

With a monthly cost of living in Berlin of €2,100 for a single person, the German capital is one of the cheaper European capitals to live in. Berlin is more affordable to live in than cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid or London which have higher living expenses.

In comparison to other metropolitan German cities, Berlin is relatively affordable. Living in the capital is more cheaper than living in Munich or Frankfurt but more expensive than Stuttgart and Dusseldorf.

On average, a person in Berlin will spend about €2,100 per month. The most significant expense you’ll have is the cost of renting, followed by groceries and health insurance. Considering that the average salary in the Germany's capital is €3,875 you'll be able to cover your living expenses and save some money for a vacation.

Some uniquely German expenses you’ll have to keep in mind are the ARD licence fee (€18.36 per month, paid every 3 months) and your liability insurance (around €5 per month).

If you need to maintain a lower budget, you can use a trick or two to save money while living in Berlin. The most effective way to live affordably is to rent a place with roommates or rent a studio in a more affordable neighbourhood.

The cost of living in Berlin for a family of 4 is €4,400 per month on average. As with a single person, rent is likely your biggest expense, followed by groceries, health insurance and childcare.

With a family of 4, you’ll want search for apartments in Berlin with at least 2 bedrooms. The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Berlin is about €2,200 per month. Thankfully, your children will be covered by your health insurance contributions, as will your partner if they are unemployed.

Groceries for a family of 4 in Berlin will cost around €800 per month, and you should budget around €400 for leisure activities! You'll also have to pay the ARD licence which costs €18.36 per month. And it’s also a good idea to purchase liability insurance for around €5 per month per person.

While public schools in Berlin are free, preschools (or kindergarten) cost an average of €195 monthly. You may be able to claim kindergeld, which is a government-funded allowance to support parents financially. You should also plan for additional expenses related to your child’s school, such as school trips or supplies.

While more affordable than in other German cities, rent will be the biggest expense in your cost of living in Berlin. How much you spend depends on where you're living in Berlin, what type of accommodation you're renting and whether your utilities are included in the costs.

Here's what you can expect from the average rent prices in Berlin:

Understanding the difference between warmiete and kaltmiete before renting in Berlin is essential. If you opt for warmiete, your utilities will be included in your rent. Choosing kaltmiete means your utilities won’t be included, so you’ll have to budget for the cost of your utilities.

Another factor determining the rental prices in Berlin is the location. Your rent will vary hugely depending on the neighborhood in Berlin you're living in. A hip flat in Friedrichshain is going to cost more than and a low-priced student room in Tempelhof.

Germany is one of the cheapest countries when it comes to groceries, and Berlin is no different. Overall, you can expect to spend around €250 per month on groceries as a single person. Whereas, families will need to double or tripple these costs depending on the size of your household.

The average grocery prices in Berlin are very affordable, especially compared to those in other European cities like Amsterdam. Below you can see an overview of the expenses for some essential grocery items.

To save on groceries expenses in Berlin you can shop at corner stores, farmer's markets or cheaper supermakets like Lidl, Aldi, Penny or Netto. Stores like EDEKA and Rewe have more variety items but are more expensive. Doing groceries at an organic or bio store will also increase your expenses.

You don’t have to spend a lot on eating out either! Berlin has plenty of restaurants where you can eat for €10 or less.

Discover the secrets to living the Berlin lifestyle on a budget:

Public transport in Berlin is not only efficient but it can also take you to any point of the city without an issue. But what makes is the best way to get around is its affordability. Below you can see the average cost of public transportation in Berlin is:

For most people in Berlin, the BVG AB ticket of €99 per month is the way to go. And if you plan to live not too far from your study or work, you can save some money by using a bike. For occasional longer trips, you can just buy a single public transportation ticket for €3.50 or a 24-hour ticket for €9.90. Children below the age of 5 can use public transport for free, and school children can travel for free with a student ID.

It’s also good to know that taxis are pretty cheap in Berlin, with a starting tariff of €4.30 and €2.50/km after that.

There isn't a better German city when it comes to leisure and nightlife than Berlin. So, while planning your cost of living in Berlin, it’s important to leave space for leisure activities in your monthly budget. To give you an idea of what popular leisure activities in Berlin will cost, we’ve outlined the prices:

To live in Germany, you must take out health insurance. If you're a working professional, a contribution of 7.3% will be taken from your gross salary. Your employer will match this contribution. The maximum you can be charged is capped at €378 a month. You can also add your spouse and children to your insurance for free.

As an international student, you can expect to pay a discounted price of around €120 per month for public health insurance in Germany.

Just about every lifestyle finds its home in Berlin. Those who try to live on a low budget can comfortably keep their monthly expenses in Berlin small - even without missing out on that vibrant city vibe. Instead of spending your time (and money!) in a fancy cocktail bar, why not just sip beer from a Späti on the Weserstraße in Neukölln while soaking up the ease of Berlin?

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