What Is the Cost of Living in Berlin?
Berlin is one of the most vibrant cities and the cheapest capital of Western Europe. This city is a paradise for young expats and international students who want a quality life without spending too much.
In this article, we will primarily talk about the cost of living in Berlin.
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Berlin?
The cost of living in Berlin for students is approximately € 770, and that for a bachelor is € 2,100. The monthly expense for living in Berlin for a family of four is € 3,800.
What Are the Top Expenses of Living in Berlin?
There are various areas of expense that affect the monthly expenses in Berlin. These include –
1. Accommodation
How much an individual spends in a month widely depends on the monthly rent of the living space. The best way to get cheap accommodation is to live in a shared flat known as Wohngemeinschaft or WG.
| Classification of Accommodation | Approximate Rent Per Month |
|---|---|
| Private Rooms | € 570 |
| Studios | € 1,000 |
| Apartments | € 1,400 |
2. Groceries
Buying the grocery items from the local market or supermarkets and cooking your own food will help you save a lot of money. Additionally, Germany is one of the cheapest countries in the world for purchasing grocery items. The table below shows the approximate cost of several grocery items –
| Grocery | Current Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular) (1 litre) | € 1 |
| Fresh Bread (500g) | € 1 |
| Rice (white) (1kg) | € 2 |
| Eggs (regular) (1 dozen) | € 2 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | € 11 |
| Chicken 1 kg (boneless) | € 7 |
| Apples (1kg) | € 12 |
| Banana (1kg) | € 2 |
| Oranges (1kg) | € 2 |
| Tomato (1kg) | € 2 |
| Potato (1kg) | € 1 |
| Onion (1kg) | € 1 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | € 1 |
3. Transportation
The public transportation system in Berlin takes you from one corner of the city to another in no time. Furthermore, students can often use public transportation for free. Individuals can also find e-scooters at affordable prices at almost every corner of the city.
| Fuel Cost/Transportation Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket (public transport) | € 3 |
| Monthly pass (public transport) | € 84 |
| Taxi 1 km normal tariff | € 2 |
| Price of diesel (as of 14th February 2022) | € 1.7 per litre |
| Price of gasoline (as of 14th February 2022) | € 1.77 per litre |
| Cabs (minimum cost) | € 3.90 |
| E-scooter | € 0.15 per minute |
4. Utilities
The average cost of basic utilities per month primarily depends on the consumption of the utilities by various devices in your home. However, power consumption will be lower if you use LED lamps.
| Utilities | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity, cooling, heating, water, garbage | € 275 |
| Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) | € 0.11 |
| Unlimited internet package | € 36 |
5. Entertainment and Leisure
Berlin has several world-class clubs where you can go and enjoy your leisure time. However, you will spend a hefty amount in order to visit a bar or nightclub every weekend.
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 month gym membership | € 29 |
| 1 hour rent for a tennis court | € 18 |
| 1 seat at a cinema hall | € 12 |
| Meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) | € 10 |
| Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant | € 50 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | € 8 |
6. Childcare and Schooling
The cost of living in Berlin for a family of four heavily depends on the childcare and schooling of kids. Berlin, in this regard, has a number of reputed schools and colleges that impart top-quality education and training to children.
| Schools and Childcare | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Preschool, private, full-day for 1 child (monthly) | € 173 |
| International primary school for 1 child (yearly) | € 8,500 |
Some of the best schools in Berlin include –
| Name of School | Curriculum |
|---|---|
| The Berlin British School | Adapted |
| Berlin Bilingual School | Berlin State |
| Berlin Cosmopolitan School | German |
| Berlin Metropolitan School | Adapted German |
| Charles Dickens Primary School | Adapted National Curriculum for England |
| Quentin Blake Primary School | Adapted National Curriculum for England |
| Schiller Gymnasium | Adapted |
How Expensive Is Berlin Compared to Other Top Cities?
The average cost of living in Berlin is more than 57% of the cities worldwide. However, this city is the cheapest city in Germany and is less expensive than 58% of cities in Western Europe.
This is all about the cost of living in Berlin. Most of the aforementioned areas of expense cost the same in the rest of Germany; however, the monthly rents can be different. Use all the information mentioned above to plan your monthly budget before moving to Berlin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berlin a cheap city to live in?
According to the Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, which was published by the Economist Intelligence, Berlin is the cheapest city to live in Germany. (1)
What is the cost of living in Berlin for students?
The Approximate cost of living in Berlin for a student is around € 770 every month.