Cost of living in Cologne

Cologne, a vibrant city in Germany, is known for its rich history, cultural landmarks, and bustling economy. Understanding the cost of living in Cologne is crucial for anyone considering moving to or visiting this dynamic city.This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant MealA meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $13.70 on average, with a range between $10.54 and $26.34.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two)For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $68.49, with prices ranging from $52.68 to $126.44.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's)A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10.54, with a range between $9.48 and $12.64.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi)Domestic beer ranges from $2.24 to $5.27, imported beer $2.63 to $5.27, cappuccino $2.36 to $5.37, and Coke/Pepsi $2.16 to $4.21.

Grocery Prices

MilkMilk is priced between $1.04 and $1.53 per liter, averaging $1.15.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread)A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.68 and $3.69, with an average price of $2.13.
Eggs (Dozen)A dozen eggs range from $3.00 to $5.25, averaging $3.68.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges)Apples cost $1.05 to $3.15 per kg, while oranges range from $1.58 to $3.16 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce)Potatoes are priced between $0.79 and $2.00 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.94 to $2.10 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs between $3.16 and $3.69.
Monthly PassA monthly pass for public transport ranges from $51.63 to $103.26.
Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $1.79 and $1.84 per liter.
Taxi FaresTaxi fares start at $5.27, with a cost of $2.00 to $2.32 per km and $31.61 to $36.67 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $816.59 to $1369.76, averaging $1091.53.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $684.88 to $1000.98, averaging $833.71.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1475.13 to $3687.82, averaging $2151.23.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1053.66 to $1791.23, averaging $1382.33.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $5795.15 to $6321.99, averaging $6234.18.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $4003.92 to $5900.52, averaging $5566.86.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $210.73 and $537.37, averaging $346.41.
InternetInternet services range from $31.61 to $50.52, with an average cost of $47.11.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 143 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$13.70

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$68.49

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$10.54

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.21

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43

Cappuccino (regular)

$3.90

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.15

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$2.13

Eggs (regular) (12)

$3.68

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.14

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.82

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$5.27

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$8.64

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.50

Apples (1kg)

$2.72

Oranges (1kg)

$2.08

Potato (1kg)

$1.41

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.73

Rice (white), (1kg)

$3.27

Tomato (1kg)

$4.58

Banana (1kg)

$1.55

Onion (1kg)

$1.63

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$19.38

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$3.37

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$51.63

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.81

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$28,638.59

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.27

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$2.16

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$31.61

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$29,853.82

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,080.58

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

3.98%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$772.69

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$15,804.96

Worldwide

Germany

Cost of Living Rankings

Cologne ranks 6th on the Cost of Living rankings in Germany.

The cost of living indices for Germany are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Germany, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025

Full Cost of Living Rankings

Overview Job Market

Affordability

Expensive

About this index

Cologne Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Cologne offers a moderate cost of living compared to other major German cities. Dining out can be affordable, especially at casual restaurants, while housing costs vary significantly depending on location.
Public transportation is reasonably priced, and owning a car involves typical European fuel costs. Grocery prices are generally competitive, with some variation in fresh produce and meats.
Utilities and internet services are moderately priced, contributing to the overall affordability of living in Cologne.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cologne presents a balanced cost of living, making it an attractive option for both residents and expatriates. While housing in the city centre can be pricey, options outside the centre offer more affordable alternatives.

With its rich cultural scene and efficient public transport, Cologne provides a high quality of life without the exorbitant costs found in some other European cities.