Cost of living in Dresden, Germany vs Santa Barbara, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 45% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Dresden (Germany) is 45% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €11 ($14) | $22 | - 37% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €7 ($8) | $8 | + 6% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €3.50 ($4.22) | $7 | - 40% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €0.74 ($0.89) | $1.16 | - 23% | |
12 eggs, large | €2.27 ($2.73) | $4.79 | - 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.58 ($3.11) | $6 | - 51% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €5.27 ($6) | $8 | - 23% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.40 ($2.89) | $3.67 | - 21% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.72 ($2.07) | $1.91 | + 8% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €0.65 ($0.78) | $6 | - 88% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €5.35 ($6) | $17 | - 62% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | €1.60 ($1.92) | $2.62 | - 27% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €0.94 ($1.13) | $2.83 | - 60% | |
Housing | - 53% | |||
Housing in Dresden (Germany) is 53% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,172 ($1,413) | $3,015 | - 53% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €700 ($844) | $2,353 | - 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €178 ($215) | $126 | + 71% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €587 ($708) | $2,061 | - 66% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €415 ($500) | $1,564 | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €99 ($120) | $79 | + 51% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €24 ($29) | $75 | - 62% | |
40” flat screen tv | €522 ($629) | $1,101 | - 43% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €105 ($127) | $57 | + 121% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €4.67 ($5.64) | $14 | - 60% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | €11 ($14) | $23 | - 42% | |
Clothes | - 7% | |||
Clothes in Dresden (Germany) is 7% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €71 ($85) | $58 | + 49% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €30 ($37) | $52 | - 29% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €82 ($99) | $90 | + 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €92 ($111) | $107 | + 4% | |
Transportation | + 47% | |||
Transportation in Dresden (Germany) is 47% more expensive than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €22,338 ($26,938) | $16,000 | + 68% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.31 ($1.58) | $0.97 | + 63% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | €60 ($72) | $51 | + 41% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | - | - | |
Personal Care | - 43% | |||
Personal Care in Dresden (Germany) is 43% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €12 ($14) | $8 | + 81% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €12 ($15) | $30 | - 51% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €46 ($56) | $140 | - 60% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €3.50 ($4.23) | $7 | - 40% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.20 ($2.65) | - | - | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.17 ($2.61) | $8 | - 65% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.23 ($1.49) | $5.00 | - 70% | |
Tube of toothpaste | €1.43 ($1.72) | $2.70 | - 36% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €16 ($19) | $25 | - 24% | |
Entertainment | - 28% | |||
Entertainment in Dresden (Germany) is 28% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €27 ($33) | $50 | - 35% | |
2 tickets to the movies | €16 ($20) | $22 | - 11% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €74 ($89) | $141 | - 36% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €50 ($60) | $91 | - 34% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €6 ($7) | $15 | - 51% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €2.67 ($3.22) | $5.50 | - 41% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €2.81 ($3.39) | $5.28 | - 36% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €460 ($555) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.09 ($0.11) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | €34 ($42) | $68 | - 39% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €5.74 ($7) | $10 | - 31% | |
TOTAL | - 32% |

These prices were last updated on January 13, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.206
USD
/
EUR
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Cost of living in Dresden (Germany) is 32% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,900 in Santa Barbara, California you would need to make just about $6,768 (€5,612) in Dresden.
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