Best cities to live in Germany For Foreigners

If you’re searching for the best cities to live in Germany, that means you’re planning your move to this beautiful country.

I wish I could tell you specifically what the best city for you to live in Germany would be. But let’s face it. Without knowing your lifestyle, it is very hard for me to do that.

So, in this guide, I do my very best to paint a picture of each city. I hope that this picture is enough information for you to be able to decide for yourself what city might be your next home.

I have lived in Germany since 2012 and have traveled multiple times to all the cities I mention in this guide.

There is one exception: I have not yet visited the city of Stuttgart. So, for this city, I’m basing my research on what friends have told me and messages I’ve read online from foreigners living in Stuttgart.

First Tip: Go With The Flow

If you plan to look for a job or university before you move to Germany, I would recommend that you be open-minded to the possibilities. Go wherever the opportunity takes you.

You might be surprised by how awesome some less popular cities are in Germany.

Once you have settled, if you’re unhappy with where you first landed, you can easily take the weekends to explore other areas. Having a first job in your hands will allow you the space and time to plan your move within Germany stress-free.

OK, now to the most popular cities.

The 7 Best Cities To Live In Germany

I chose these 7 cities because they are not only the 7 largest cities in Germany but also the most popular for internationals. In a survey we did in 2023, we found that 63% of expats were living in these cities.

To give you an impression of each city, I will provide some key measurements and a small summary. Here are the key measurements I will use:

• 💶 How expensive is the city: I based it on the current rental prices (source).
• 👥 Population: The number of people living in the city (source).
• 🫧 Young population percentage: What percentage of the population is aged between 20 – 40 years (source).
• 🌦️ Weather: Average temperature ranges for winter and summer. Plus, the city’s ranking for annual rainfall (source).
• 🧹 Cleanliness: Rating from 1 – 10. 1 is super dirty. 10 is super clean (source).
• 📸 Tourism intensity: The more tourists, the more crowded the city can feel (source).
• 🌈 Attractive city for LGBTQ+: How attractive a city is in terms of the LGBTQ+ community (source).

I have organized this list from the most expensive city to the least expensive.

Rent is the highest expense a household usually has. According to Destastis (The German Federal Statistical Office), on average, a household in Germany spends 36% of its income on housing and energy. So, I defined the cost of living in each city by the rental prices.

Keep in mind that the more expensive the city is, the higher the renal prices are. So, you might need to consider spending more than 36% of your income on rent.

Ok, so let’s start with our list.

#1 Munich

Munich, the capital city of Bavaria in Germany, is an attractive destination for internationals. Although it’s the most expensive city to live in Germany, it is also considered the richest city in Germany.

Salaries tend to be higher in Munich than in the rest of Germany. So, if you work there, chances are that you will be able to have a good life.

Munich has a rich culture. Tons of cultural events happen in Munich during the year. The most famous one being the Oktoberfest.

The economy of Munich is driven by industries like technology, finance, automotive, and manufacturing. Big tech companies like Google and Amazon have their headquarters in the city.

Munich is just a few hours from the Bavarian Alps. An astonishing mountain range filled with hiking trails, mountain lakes, and outdoor activities for all seasons.

Bavaria, in general, is considered the most conservative and traditional area in Germany. So, I was not really surprised when Munich ranked last in a study about the city’s attractiveness to the LGBTQ+ community.

Some areas also speak ‘Bavarian German’, which is a dialect of the German language. Some Germans even struggle to understand it 😅.

#2 Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, used to be one of the most affordable cities to live in Germany. This has changed in the past few years. Rental prices have increased tremendously. Making it the second most expensive city to live in.

A big challenge most newcomers face when moving to Berlin is finding an apartment. Readers have shared with us that finding a job was easier for them than finding a place to live. That should show what you can expect if you want to move there.

Berlin is divided into neighborhoods, or as the locals call them, ‘Kiez’. The city is so big that commuting between neighborhoods might take an hour or more. Due to the long commutes, locals tend to hang out in their neighborhoods. I think that’s why finding a place in a hip neighborhood is nearly impossible.

Being the largest city in Germany, it has a big and welcoming international community. You can hear people speaking English everywhere in the city.

You can find thousands of delicious restaurants all over the city. There’s a restaurant from every country in the world, I think!

It has a buzzing nightlife scene. The city is filled with creative minds. People in Berlin are not shy about dressing how they want and being who they are.

Berlin has a vibrant LGTBQ+ community. It ranked #2 in the most attractive place to live for queer people.

I think of Berlin as its own bubble. It does not represent the Germany I know and love.

It’s a city filled with contrasts and one that you either love or hate.

For our Simple Germany YouTube channel, we created a video talking about the differences we’ve found between Berlin and the rest of Germany.

#3 Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany. It is home to the European Central Bank and numerous financial institutions.

It’s the only city in Germany that has a skyline made out of skyscrapers. Frankfurt is a great place to find a job if you’re in the banking, insurance, finance, or related industries.

Frankfurt serves as a major transportation hub with one of Europe’s busiest airports and an extensive network of train and tram lines connecting the city to domestic and international destinations.

Although it’s the third most expensive city in Germany, salaries are also high. Making it a city with a very good quality of life.

The one area you might want to avoid living around is the one near the main train station. In an effort to provide a safe and healthy space for addicts, the city opened a few supervised injection sites around the main train station.

That’s why you will see a large number of homeless and drug addicts around the area. They’re not violent, but the scene might be shocking if you’ve never seen anything like it before.

#4 Stuttgart

Stuttgart is located in the southwest part of Germany. It is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg.

It is the birthplace of iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The automotive industry plays a big role in this city’s economy.

The city is located close to the black forest, vineyards, and a mountain range called Swabian Jura. It provides great opportunities for residents to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.

Living in Stuttgart and nearby areas is pricey. Workers earn high salaries to match. If you work in Stuttgart, your pay will align with the higher living expenses.

#5 Hamburg

Hamburg is a bustling port city in the northern part of Germany. The maritime heritage is super important. There are several famous port festivals during the year.

After New York and London, Hamburg is the third biggest musical hub in the world. You will find all the popular musical shows performing here.

The city has bustling waterfront attractions, from the world-known port to the bustling fish markets and picturesque canals.

It has a vibrant nightlife. Die Reeperbahn is the second-largest red-light district in Europe. This area is filled with bars, clubs, and adult venues.

Outside of the red-light district, I think it is a very beautiful city. Filled with history, unique alleys, green spaces, and a unique vibe.

#6 Cologne

Cologne is the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia. The beautiful old town is also located next to the Rhine River, the longest river in Germany.

It is home to the world-famous Dome Cathedral, the tallest twin-spired church in the world.

Many locals describe this city as a ‘feeling’. You need to feel the vibe of Cologne to understand it.

The locals are very open-minded and friendly. They have no issue striking a conversation with a stranger. This attitude is rare to find in other parts of Germany.

In a recent study, Cologne ranked #1 as the most attractive city to live in for the LGBTQ+ community. As a queer woman myself, I can confirm this metric. The city has a vibrant and welcoming scene.

#7 Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia. It’s known as the ‘fashion capital of Germany’.

Large companies in the fashion, telecommunications, and media industries have their headquarters here.

It is said that the friendliest people in Germany live in Düsseldorf and Cologne. Both cities have a strong sense of community. One of the strongest celebrations to witness this is during their very popular street carnival celebrations.

The old town is located by the Rhine River, the longest river in Germany. The majority of the nightlife happens around the city center. The rest of the city is pretty low-key.

I have lived in Düsseldorf since 2012, and I love it. It is big enough that enough activities are happening during the weekend but small enough that commuting between neighborhoods can be done in 20 – 30 minutes.

Another thing I love about living here in Düsseldorf is that the international airport is just 20 minutes away from the city center. So it is very easy to get there and discover other parts of the world.

My wife and I created a video about living in Düsseldorf and the things we love. You can check it out below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Best Cities To Work In Germany

The best cities for English-speaking jobs in Germany are Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, and Cologne.

We sent a survey to international skilled workers in 2023. Their answers show that 63% of English-speaking jobs were in the seven largest cities in Germany, which we mention in detail in this guide.

What are the best cities to live in Germany for families?

The most family-friendly large cities in Germany are Berlin, Nuremberg, Münster, Munich, and Hamburg.

A recent study analyzed 30 German cities to find the most family-friendly ones. They evaluated things like average monthly income, crime rate, number of doctors in relation to population, and the range of family-friendly attractions and parks.

Which German city is the cheapest to live in?

The cheapest cities to live in in Germany are Dresden, Essen, Dortmund, Aachen, and Bremen.

This is based on the rental index published by Numbeo’s website.

What are the Most Expensive Cities To Live In Germany?

The most expensive cities to live in Germany, based on their rental prices, are Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stuttgart.

Conclusion: Which is the best city to live in Germany?

I hope this paints a picture that Germany offers a diverse array of cities, each with its own unique character and traditions.

Regardless of where you land, I’m sure you will find things to enjoy.

I believe Germany is a great place to live. 

For me, Germany has offered a place that I can call home. I’ve enjoyed its high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, healthcare, and traditions.

More than that, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the locals. As a queer woman, I’ve always felt safe in my home city of Düsseldorf.

If you would like to read more about the cost of living and the quality of life in Germany, here I leave our other guides on the topics:

• Cost of living in Germany
• Quality of life in Germany