Cost of living comparison

compared to

United States vs. Germany Cost of Living Summary

United States is 26.4% more expensive than Germany overall.

Restaurants
pay 0.7% more in United States
Groceries
pay 33.7% more in United States
Transportation
pay 23.1% less in United States
Housing
pay 68.3% more in United States
Childcare
pay 98.6% more in United States
Entertainment and Sports
pay 17.7% more in United States
Clothing
pay 19.1% less in United States

The cost of childcare, housing, groceries, entertainment and sports, and restaurants in United States are more expensive than in Germany. Expenses including transportation and clothing are lower in United States. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in United States.

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United States vs. Germany Cost Breakdown

If you lived in United States instead of Germany, you would:

pay 0.7% more for restaurants

 
Germany
United States
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $16.14
€14.48
$19.86
 
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
 $12.34
€11.07
$11.42
 
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $3.38
€3.03
$2.67
 
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pay 33.7% more for groceries

 
Germany
United States
Bread
1 loaf
 $2.14
€1.92
$3.63
 
Local cheese (8 oz) $7.24
€6.49
$6.52
 
Milk (1 gallon) $4.98
€4.47
$3.98
 
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pay 23.1% less for transportation

 
Germany
United States
Gasoline (1 gallon) $8.07
€7.24
$4.01
 
Monthly public transit pass $65.73
€58.97
$66.70
 
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $32,242.72
€28,926.56
$34,164.82
 
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pay 68.3% more for housing

 
Germany
United States
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
 $45.10
€40.46
$70.22
 
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $839.53
€753.18
$1,681.01
 
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $674.34
€604.98
$1,404.28
 
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pay 98.6% more for childcare

 
Germany
United States
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $525.85
€471.77
$1,450.99
 
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $17,045.97
€15,292.79
$24,361.50
 
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pay 17.7% more for entertainment and sports

 
Germany
United States
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $5.03
€4.51
$6.00
 
Cappuccino in mid-range area $3.91
€3.51
$5.31
 
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
 $9.66
€8.67
$10.42
 
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pay 19.1% less for clothing

 
Germany
United States
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
 $89.23
€80.06
$53.15
 
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
 $44.05
€39.52
$41.88
 
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
 $100.05
€89.76
$89.76
 
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We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Sources: MyLifeElsewhere's cost-of-living dataset (prices updated November 2026). How we calculate this

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Compare further: Germany vs. United States

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