Cost of living in United States compared to Germany
Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 12% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (€12) | €12 | + 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (€7) | €8 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.26 (€3.50) | €3.62 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (€0.73) | €0.96 | - 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.94 (€2.42) | €2.94 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.11 (€3.38) | €2.63 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (€5.23) | €5.60 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.31 (€2.72) | €2.48 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.67 (€1.38) | €1.51 | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.32 (€2.73) | €0.98 | + 179% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (€12) | €7 | + 68% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.99 (€1.63) | €1.79 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.06 (€1.69) | €1.16 | + 45% | |
| Housing | + 23% | |||
| Housing in United States is 23% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,211 (€1,817) | €1,431 | + 27% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,548 (€1,273) | €1,217 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (€146) | €165 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,530 (€1,257) | €973 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,114 (€916) | €694 | + 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $111 (€91) | €113 | - 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $50 (€41) | €25 | + 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $272 (€223) | €359 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $128 (€105) | €97 | + 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (€9) | €5.62 | + 54% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (€18) | €15 | + 18% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 20% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (€39) | €78 | - 51% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (€36) | €37 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $87 (€72) | €86 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $109 (€90) | €113 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 21% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 21% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,539 (€19,347) | €23,534 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.64 (€0.52) | €1.29 | - 59% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $74 (€61) | €71 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 42% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 42% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (€5.91) | €7 | - 17% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $16 (€14) | €10 | + 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $113 (€92) | €57 | + 63% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (€5.40) | €3.16 | + 71% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.47 (€2.85) | €2.13 | + 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.91 (€4.03) | €2.32 | + 74% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.64 (€2.99) | €1.30 | + 131% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (€1.49) | €1.62 | - 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (€18) | €20 | - 13% | |
| Entertainment | + 25% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 25% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 (€38) | €35 | + 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (€21) | €23 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $205 (€169) | €108 | + 56% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $79 (€65) | €56 | + 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (€10) | €9 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.05 (€4.15) | €3.57 | + 16% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.81 (€4.77) | €3.51 | + 36% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $420 (€345) | €495 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.51 (€0.42) | €0.12 | + 247% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 (€41) | €41 | - 0% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (€7) | €7 | - 1% | |
| TOTAL | + 7% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.822
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 34,785 prices entered by 4,630 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 7% more expensive than in Germany
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