💰 Cost of living for Person
€1615 / month
💰 Cost of living for family
€3,511 / month
💰 Cost of living for expat
€1,876 / month
💰 Cost of living for local
1,976 / month
💰 Cost of living for student
€1,081 / month
🏨 Hotel (median price)
€1,800 / month
🏠 1 br studio rent in center
€623 / month
🏠 AirBnB (median)
€80 / night
🏠 AirBnB (median)
€2.400 / month
🍛 Dinner (selfmade for one Person)
€4.03
🍛 Dinner (median in a Restaurant)
€22.25
🍺 Beer in bar (0,5 L)
€4,20
🍺 Beer in supermarket (0,5 L)
€1.20
☕️ Coffee in cafe
€3.60
🎓 International school
€12,000 / year
🚕 Taxi price (avg trip ≈ 3km)
€10.20
👩💻 Coworking hot desk
€250
🥤 Coca Cola in cafe (0,3L)
€2.50
🥤 Coca Cola in supermarket (0,3L)
€1.25
Mobile data (≈10GB)
€15 / month
Aachen is a vibrant university city in North Rhine‑Westphalia (NRW), Germany, known for its historic centre, strong tech and engineering sectors, and excellent quality of life. Whether you’re a student, expat professional, or family planning to move here, understanding the cost of living is important for budgeting and planning your life in this border‑region city.
As of mid‑2025, Aachen’s population is around 261,000 inhabitants. About one in five residents is a student, giving the city a lively and international atmosphere. Aachen also has a significant proportion of foreign‑born residents.
Yes, with institutions like RWTH Aachen University (one of Germany’s top technical universities) attracting tens of thousands of students and a similarly significant number of international residents, Aachen definitely qualifies both as a college town and a student city.
One of the main components of living costs is rent:
– Average rents in Aachen vary by location and apartment size, but typical monthly rents can range from about €450–€850 for a two‑bedroom apartment.
– The Kaltmiete (base rent without utilities) averages around €10.18 per square metre, so total housing costs will rise once you add utilities (Nebenkosten).
Aachen’s popularity as a university city means high demand for student accommodation. Many students report needing to plan ahead, as there are long waiting lists for both public and private housing options.
According to cost‑of‑living data, a single person in Aachen might spend approximately €980–€1,000 per month on typical daily expenses such as food, transport, utilities, and leisure.
According to cost estimator platforms, total living costs including rent average around $1,668 (~€1,550) per month for a solo adult, with housing and utilities making up a large portion.
– Meal in inexpensive restaurant: ~€13
– Cappuccino: ~€3.34
– Public transport rides and other basics vary depending on usage.
Cost‑of‑living aggregators estimate that median after‑tax monthly salaries in Aachen can be around $3,384 (~€3,200), enough to comfortably cover living expenses for most professionals.
This means that many expats and local workers can maintain a good standard of living here, especially compared to major German metros like Munich or Frankfurt.
Studies and student‑service estimates suggest:
This places total monthly expenses for students at around €800–€1,200 per month, depending on lifestyle and living arrangements.
Most independent student guides suggest €900–€1,200 per month as a realistic budget for students in Aachen when rent and daily costs are included.
Tip for students: Eating at student canteens (Mensa) and sharing accommodation can save you a significant amount each month. Many students report managing comfortably on ~€800 per month with careful budgeting.
Yes. Aachen offers a strong job market, quality public services, easy access to other European cities (Belgium, Netherlands), and a welcoming multi‑cultural environment, making it a solid choice for expats.
Compared to larger cities like Munich, Frankfurt or even Cologne, Aachen’s cost of living (especially rent) tends to be more affordable, though it’s still a reasonably priced city in Germany.
Absolutely. Aachen’s universities, student culture, and relatively lower housing costs compared to big German cities make it particularly attractive for students.
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