How expensive is Cologne compared to the rest of Germany?

Cologne ranks #166 out of 577 cities globally. It is 6.6% more expensive than the Germany average, based on 34 cities. The rent index is 27.9 and local purchasing power is 139.7.

What is the average rent in Cologne?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Cologne city centre costs approximately EUR 1,042 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to EUR 773 (saving 26%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around EUR 2,086.

Is Cologne affordable to live in?

Cologne is expensive by global standards. Groceries are average, restaurants are average, and local purchasing power is average. Workers in Germany earning EUR 50,000 gross take home approximately EUR 2,695 per month after tax.

🇩🇪 Germany · 2026

Kosten van Levensonderhoud in Cologne

6.6% boven het Germany-gemiddelde

Gerangschikt op #166 van 577 steden · Duurder dan 71.2% van de steden wereldwijd

+6.6%

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+26.2%

Huur

-1.5%

Boodschappen

+0.4%

Koopkracht

Vergeleken met het Germany-gemiddelde · Germany-ranking bekijken →

Huurprijzen in Cologne

Appartement	Stadscentrum	Buiten het Centrum	Je Bespaart
1-Kamer	EUR 1,042/mo ≈ $1,169	EUR 773/mo ≈ $867	26%
3-Kamer	EUR 2,086/mo ≈ $2,338	EUR 1,420/mo ≈ $1,592	32%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Cologne has a cost of living index of 48.2 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.

48.2

Index

Sources

3.1

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

49.9

Expatistan

48.0

LivingCost

46.8

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Kostenindexen

Kosten van Levensonderhoud

+6.6% Average

Huur

+26.2% Very expensive

Boodschappen

-1.5% Average

Restaurants

+4.9% Average

Koopkracht

+0.4% Average

Wonen in Cologne: Wat te Verwachten

Cologne is expensive naar wereldwijde maatstaven (positie #166 van 577 steden). 6.6% duurder dan het Germany-gemiddelde, gebaseerd op 34 steden.

Boodschappen zijn average, terwijl uit eten average is. Groceries biedt de beste waarde, terwijl Rent het duurst is.

De lokale koopkracht is sterk: inwoners kunnen meer goederen en diensten betalen dan in de meeste steden.

Werknemers in Germany met EUR 50,000 bruto ontvangen EUR 2,695/maand netto na belasting (effectief tarief: 35.3%%). Bekijk de volledige Germany belastingcalculator →