Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany · Population 3,500,000
▲ +8% vs Germany average
| Expense | Estimated cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | €10.23 ($11.12) | per meal |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range | €40.90 ($44.46) | per meal |
| Cappuccino | €3.07 ($3.33) | each |
| Monthly groceries (single person) | €232 ($252) | per month |
| Monthly public transport pass | €37.49 ($40.76) | per month |
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment | €98.85 ($107) | per month |
| Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited) | €28.63 ($31.12) | per month |
| Fitness club membership | €28.63 ($31.12) | per month |
| Cinema ticket | €7.50 ($8.15) | each |
| One-bedroom apartment in city centre | €573 ($623) | per month |
| One-bedroom apartment outside centre | €399 ($433) | per month |
| Three-bedroom apartment in city centre | €1,196 ($1,300) | per month |
The estimated average net salary in Cologne is €3,461 ($3,762) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €1,081 ($1,174) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,405 ($1,527) per month.
Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€399 ($433)) represents about 37% of the total single-person budget.
9 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
10 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
10 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
13 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
13 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
14 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
14 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
15 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia · pop. 5,302,179
€1,247 ($1,356) / moBerlin · pop. 4,679,500
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€998 ($1,085) / moCologne is one of the key cities in Germany. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €1,081 ($1,174), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €399 ($433) per month.
For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,569 ($2,793) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €1,957 ($2,128) monthly.
The average estimated net salary in Cologne is €3,461 ($3,762). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,405 ($1,527) per month.