Cost of living comparison

 United States
compared to
 Germany
Germany vs. United States Cost of Living Summary

Germany is 9.7% cheaper than United States overall.

Restaurants
pay 2.0% more in Germany
Groceries
pay 19.7% less in Germany
Transportation
pay 24.4% more in Germany
Housing
pay 20.5% less in Germany
Childcare
pay 55.4% less in Germany
Entertainment and Sports
pay 19.4% less in Germany
Clothing
pay 20.5% more in Germany

The cost of transportation, clothing, and restaurants in Germany are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including childcare, housing, groceries, and entertainment and sports are lower in Germany.

Germany vs. United States Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Germany instead of United States, you would:

pay 2.0% more for restaurants

 
United States
Germany
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $18.59
 
$14.04
€12.37
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$10.47
 
$10.20
€8.98
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $2.50
 
$2.80
€2.47

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pay 19.7% less for groceries

 
United States
Germany
Bread
1 loaf
$3.49
 
$2.03
€1.79
Local cheese (8 oz) $6.33
 
$6.71
€5.90
Milk (1 gallon) $3.91
 
$4.38
€3.86

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pay 24.4% more for transportation

 
United States
Germany
Gasoline (1 gallon) $3.61
 
$7.07
€6.23
Monthly public transit pass $65.15
 
$52.96
€46.63
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $31,583.67
 
$28,807.86
€25,363.51

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pay 20.5% less for housing

 
United States
Germany
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$67.50
 
$48.22
€42.45
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $1,655.99
 
$790.39
€695.89
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $1,423.40
 
$625.27
€550.51

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pay 55.4% less for childcare

 
United States
Germany
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $1,351.84
 
$458.39
€403.58
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $22,265.44
 
$12,308.95
€10,837.25

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pay 19.4% less for entertainment and sports

 
United States
Germany
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $5.78
 
$4.42
€3.89
Cappuccino in mid-range area $5.04
 
$3.49
€3.07
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$9.68
 
$8.74
€7.69

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pay 20.5% more for clothing

 
United States
Germany
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$50.38
 
$82.34
€72.49
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$40.66
 
$40.78
€35.90
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$85.52
 
$91.59
€80.64

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: April 2025
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