Wiesbaden vs Erfurt on €80,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026

On a gross salary of €80,000 a year, a single employee takes home €4,004 a month in Wiesbaden (60% of gross) and €4,004 a month in Erfurt (60%), after income tax and social security contributions.

Erfurt is 2% more expensive than Wiesbaden overall (cost-of-living index 48.3 vs 47.4, New York = 100). Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about €3,468 a month in Erfurt — this salary leaves €536 a month on top.

By category, groceries cost 2% more in Erfurt than in Wiesbaden, eating out 16% less and rent 16% less.

Of the gross salary, income tax takes €15,694 a year in Wiesbaden and €15,694 in Erfurt; social contributions and other levies take €16,257 and €16,257.

Wiesbaden Erfurt
Gross salary per year€80,000€80,000
Income tax per year€15,694€15,694
Social contributions per year€16,257€16,257
Take-home pay per month€4,004€4,004
Cost-of-living index (New York = 100)47.448.3

How each figure is taxed: Germany tax calculator and Germany tax calculator. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.

Questions about Wiesbaden vs Erfurt

Is Erfurt, Germany more expensive than Wiesbaden, Germany?

Erfurt, Germany is 2% more expensive than Wiesbaden, Germany overall. On a gross salary of €80,000 a year, you take home €4,004 a month in Wiesbaden, Germany and €4,004 a month in Erfurt, Germany after income tax and social contributions.

How much can I save living in Erfurt, Germany vs Wiesbaden, Germany?

Keeping the same standard of living as in Wiesbaden, Germany, you could save about €536 a month (€6,432 a year) in Erfurt, Germany on this salary, after rent and living costs.

What taxes will I pay in Germany vs Germany?

On €80,000 gross a year you take home €4,004 a month in Germany and €4,004 a month in Germany. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.