Hamburg vs Berlin on €100,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of €100,000 a year, a single employee takes home €4,836 a month in Hamburg (58% of gross) and €4,836 a month in Berlin (58%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Berlin is 2% more expensive than Hamburg overall (cost-of-living index 52.4 vs 51.4, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about €1,312 a month in Berlin and €1,140 in Hamburg, which leaves €3,524 and €3,696 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €4,190 a month in Berlin: this salary leaves €645 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 4% more in Berlin than in Hamburg, eating out 1% more and rent 20% more.
Of the gross salary, income tax takes €23,593 a year in Hamburg and €23,593 in Berlin; social contributions and other levies take €18,377 and €18,377.
| Hamburg | Berlin | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | €100,000 | €100,000 |
| Income tax per year | €23,593 | €23,593 |
| Social contributions per year | €18,377 | €18,377 |
| Take-home pay per month | €4,836 | €4,836 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | €1,140 | €1,312 |
| Left after rent | €3,696 | €3,524 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 51.4 | 52.4 |
How each figure is taxed: Germany tax calculator and Germany tax calculator; prices: in Berlin. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Hamburg vs Berlin
Is Berlin, Germany more expensive than Hamburg, Germany?
Berlin, Germany is 2% more expensive than Hamburg, Germany overall. On a gross salary of €100,000 a year, you take home €4,836 a month in Hamburg, Germany and €4,836 a month in Berlin, Germany after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Berlin, Germany vs Hamburg, Germany?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Hamburg, Germany, you could save about €645 a month (€7,745 a year) in Berlin, Germany on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Germany vs Germany?
On €100,000 gross a year you take home €4,836 a month in Germany and €4,836 a month in Germany. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.