Cologne
Frankfurt

Cologne vs Frankfurt — Cost of Living Comparison

Cologne
Germany
VS
Frankfurt
Germany
Estimated average living costs are ~11% lower in Cologne

Cologne

$1,900

avg. monthly cost

Population

1,080,000

Safety

60/100

Quality

74/100

Cost
69
Safety
60
Life
74

Frankfurt

$2,100

avg. monthly cost

Population

760,000

Safety

62/100

Quality

76/100

Cost
74
Safety
62
Life
76

Data last updated:

Compare Two Cities

Estimated average living costs are ~11% lower in Cologne

Overall Monthly Cost Comparison

Cologne

$1,900

estimated per month

Frankfurt

$2,100

estimated per month

Difference

+10.5%

Monthly savings

$200

Yearly savings

$2,400

Figures shown are estimated averages for general comparison purposes only and may not reflect individual spending patterns.

Cost Comparison by Category

Monthly averages side by side

Estimated Salary Equivalency (Informational)

What you'd need to earn for the same lifestyle

This calculation provides an estimated comparison based on average living costs and does not represent financial or employment advice.

$/year (USD)

$82,895

+$7,895/year (USD)

Salary equivalency figures are illustrative estimates only and should not be used for employment, negotiation, or financial planning decisions.

Detailed Category Breakdown

Item-by-item price comparison across 7 categories

ItemCologneFrankfurtDiff
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$900.00$1,100.00
+22.2%
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$650.00$780.00
+20.0%
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$1,700.00$2,100.00
+23.5%
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$1,200.00$1,450.00
+20.8%
ItemCologneFrankfurtDiff
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$12.00$14.00
+16.7%
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$50.00$60.00
+20.0%
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$9.50$10.00
+5.3%
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.10$1.10
0.0%
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$1.50$1.60
+6.7%
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.90$2.00
+5.3%
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$2.90$3.10
+6.9%
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$8.80$9.50
+8.0%
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.40$2.50
+4.2%
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.50$1.60
+6.7%
ItemCologneFrankfurtDiff
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$105.00$110.00
+4.8%
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$3.00$3.00
0.0%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$4.00$4.50
+12.5%
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$2.30$2.50
+8.7%
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.85$1.85
0.0%
ItemCologneFrankfurtDiff
Basic Utilities (85m² Apt)(per month)
$240.00$260.00
+8.3%
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$22.00$22.00
0.0%
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$33.00$35.00
+6.1%
ItemCologneFrankfurtDiff
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$35.00$35.00
0.0%
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$60.00$70.00
+16.7%
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$7.00$7.00
0.0%
ItemCologneFrankfurtDiff
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$35.00$42.00
+20.0%
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$12.50$13.50
+8.0%
Cappuccino(per cup)
$3.30$3.80
+15.2%
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$4.50$5.00
+11.1%
ItemCologneFrankfurtDiff
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$80.00$85.00
+6.3%
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$34.00$36.00
+5.9%
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$88.00$92.00
+4.5%

Category values are aggregated estimates and may vary by neighborhood, lifestyle, and market conditions.

Frequently asked questions: Cologne vs Frankfurt

Is Cologne or Frankfurt more expensive?
Frankfurt is more expensive, with a cost of living index of 74 compared with 69 for Cologne.
How much cheaper is Cologne than Frankfurt?
Living in Cologne is around 7% cheaper than Frankfurt, based on their overall cost of living indices.
What is the cost of living difference between Cologne and Frankfurt?
Cologne scores 69 out of 100 on our cost of living index, while Frankfurt scores 74 — where New York City equals 100.