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Cost of Living in Dortmund

Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany · Population 5,302,179 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Germany average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)€1,247 ($1,356)
Couple, monthly€2,264 ($2,461)
Family of four, monthly€2,976 ($3,234)

Estimated Prices in Dortmund

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant€11.66 ($12.68)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range€46.64 ($50.70)per meal
Cappuccino€3.50 ($3.80)each
Monthly groceries (single person)€264 ($287)per month
Monthly public transport pass€42.76 ($46.48)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment€113 ($123)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)€32.65 ($35.49)per month
Fitness club membership€32.65 ($35.49)per month
Cinema ticket€8.55 ($9.30)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre€676 ($734)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre€470 ($511)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre€1,410 ($1,532)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Dortmund is €3,947 ($4,290) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of €1,247 ($1,356) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly €1,622 ($1,763) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (€470 ($511)) represents about 38% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Dortmund

Dortmund vs BerlinDortmund vs CologneDortmund vs StuttgartDortmund vs MunichDortmund vs HamburgDortmund vs Frankfurt

Nearby Cities

Schwerte

10 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Holzwickede

11 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Castrop-Rauxel

11 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Lünen

12 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Witten

13 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Herdecke

13 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Waltrop

13 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Wetter (Ruhr)

15 km away · North Rhine-Westphalia

Other Major Cities in Germany

Berlin

Berlin · pop. 4,679,500

€1,081 ($1,174) / mo

Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia · pop. 3,500,000

€1,081 ($1,174) / mo

Stuttgart

Baden-Württemberg · pop. 2,787,727

€1,081 ($1,174) / mo

Munich

Bavaria · pop. 2,606,021

€1,081 ($1,174) / mo

Hamburg

Hamburg · pop. 2,496,600

€1,081 ($1,174) / mo

Frankfurt

Hesse · pop. 2,319,029

€1,081 ($1,174) / mo

Nuremberg

Bavaria · pop. 1,374,524

€1,081 ($1,174) / mo

Dresden

Saxony · pop. 790,400

€998 ($1,085) / mo

Living in Dortmund

Dortmund is the capital and one of the key cities in Germany. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is €1,247 ($1,356), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around €470 ($511) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to €2,976 ($3,234) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately €2,264 ($2,461) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Dortmund is €3,947 ($4,290). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least €1,622 ($1,763) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dortmund expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated €1,247 ($1,356) per month in Dortmund including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Germany.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dortmund?
A net salary of around €1,622 ($1,763) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Dortmund with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Dortmund is €3,947 ($4,290).
How much is rent in Dortmund?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated €676 ($734) per month in the city centre and €470 ($511) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about €1,410 ($1,532).
Is Dortmund cheaper than Germany on average?
No — Dortmund is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Germany average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Dortmund?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at €264 ($287) in Dortmund. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about €12 ($13) and a cappuccino runs around €3 ($4).
How do transport costs in Dortmund compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Dortmund is estimated at €43 ($46). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Dortmund are estimates based on Germany national averages adjusted for city size (population 5,302,179) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.