Cost of living comparison
United States is 34.7% more expensive than Germany overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.4% more in United States
- Groceries
-
pay 40.5% more in United States
- Transportation
-
pay 9.7% less in United States
- Housing
-
pay 60.4% more in United States
- Childcare
-
pay 2.4 times more in United States
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 26.2% more in United States
- Clothing
-
pay 13.9% less in United States
The cost of childcare, housing, groceries, entertainment and sports, and restaurants in United States are more expensive than in Germany. Expenses including clothing and transportation are lower in United States. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in United States.
If you lived in United States instead of Germany, you would:
pay 1.4% more for restaurants
Germany
|
United States
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$14.04
€13.37
|
$18.59
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.20
€9.71
|
$10.47
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.80
€2.67
|
$2.50
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.41
€2.29
|
$1.96
|
|
pay 40.5% more for groceries
Germany
|
United States
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.03
€1.93
|
$3.49
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.71
€6.39
|
$6.33
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.38
€4.17
|
$3.91
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.41
€3.24
|
$3.56
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$6.24
€5.94
|
$5.16
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$1.28
€1.21
|
$2.33
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.70
€0.67
|
$0.78
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$0.97
€0.93
|
$2.00
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.10
€2.00
|
$2.16
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.66
€0.63
|
$1.34
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$0.69
€0.66
|
$1.38
|
|
pay 9.7% less for transportation
Germany
|
United States
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$7.07
€6.73
|
$3.61
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$52.96
€50.42
|
$65.15
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,807.86
€27,429.52
|
$31,583.67
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$23.02
€21.92
|
$17.81
|
|
pay 60.4% more for housing
Germany
|
United States
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$48.22
€45.91
|
$67.50
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$790.39
€752.58
|
$1,655.99
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$625.27
€595.36
|
$1,423.40
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$230.06
€219.06
|
$148.34
|
|
pay 2.4 times more for childcare
Germany
|
United States
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$458.39
€436.46
|
$1,351.84
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$12,308.95
€11,720.01
|
$22,265.44
|
|
pay 26.2% more for entertainment and sports
Germany
|
United States
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$4.42
€4.21
|
$5.78
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.49
€3.32
|
$5.04
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$8.74
€8.32
|
$9.68
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$36.01
€34.28
|
$50.84
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.80
€12.19
|
$13.30
|
|
pay 13.9% less for clothing
Germany
|
United States
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$82.34
€78.40
|
$50.38
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.78
€38.83
|
$40.66
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$91.59
€87.21
|
$85.52
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$123.43
€117.52
|
$111.08
|
|
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