🇩🇪Cost of Living in Cologne

Germany · Population: 1,080,000 · Cost Index: 69/100

Cost of Living in Cologne

Germany · Europe

Cologne is a lively Rhineland city famous for its iconic Gothic cathedral, vibrant carnival celebrations, and thriving media industry. It offers a relaxed urban atmosphere with good public transport and living costs below Munich and Frankfurt.

1,080,000

Population

Cost Index

Safety Index

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $1,900 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $1,112.50

1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)

$900.00

1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)

$650.00

3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)

$1,700.00

3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)

$1,200.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $9.16

Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)

$12.00

Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)

$50.00

McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)

$9.50

Milk (1 liter)(per liter)

$1.10

Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)

$1.50

Rice (1 kg)(per kg)

$1.90

Eggs (12)(per dozen)

$2.90

Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)

$8.80

Apples (1 kg)(per kg)

$2.40

Banana (1 kg)(per kg)

$1.50

Transportation

Avg: $23.23

Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)

$105.00

One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)

$3.00

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)

$4.00

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)

$2.30

Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)

$1.85

Utilities

Avg: $98.33

Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)

$240.00

Mobile Phone Plan(per month)

$22.00

Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)

$33.00

Healthcare

Avg: $34.00

Doctor Visit(per visit)

$35.00

Dentist Visit(per visit)

$60.00

Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)

$7.00

Entertainment

Avg: $13.83

Fitness Club Monthly(per month)

$35.00

Cinema Ticket(per ticket)

$12.50

Cappuccino(per cup)

$3.30

Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)

$4.50

Clothing

Avg: $67.33

Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)

$80.00

Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)

$34.00

Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)

$88.00

Compare Cologne with another city

See how Cologne stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency: EUR
Language: German
Cost Index: 69/100
Safety Index: 60/100
Quality of Life: 74/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.