🇩🇪 Germany · #112 of 546 cities · 2026

Cost of Living in Cologne

2.3% above the Germany average

Ranked #112 of 546 cities · More expensive than 79.5% of cities worldwide

Compared to Germany average

Rent Prices

Rent Prices in Cologne

Apartment City Centre Outside Centre You Save
1-Bedroom EUR 737/mo ≈ $845 EUR 553/mo ≈ $634 25%
3-Bedroom EUR 1,284/mo ≈ $1,472 EUR 963/mo ≈ $1,104 25%
Estimated from rent index. Actual prices vary. · 2026

Cost Indices

Cost of Living
+2.3% Average
Rent
+4.8% Average
Groceries
+1.1% Average
Restaurants
+3.8% Average
Purchasing Power
-18.6% Weak

Living in Cologne: What to Expect

Cologne is average by global standards (ranked #112 of 546 cities). It is 2.3% more expensive than the Germany average, based on 31 cities.

Groceries are average, while dining out is average. Groceries offers the best value, while Rent is the priciest.

Local purchasing power is limited — residents can afford fewer goods and services than in most cities.

Workers in Germany earning EUR 50,000 gross take home EUR 2,651/month after tax (36.4% effective rate). See full Germany tax calculator →

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