Cost of living in United States compared to Germany
Currency:
| Food | + 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 29% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| United States | Germany | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (€18) | €15 | + 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (€9) | €9 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.80 (€5.41) | €5.41 | - 0% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (€1.01) | €1.19 | - 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.63 (€4.31) | €3.55 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.61 (€4.29) | €2.81 | + 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (€7) | €7 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.24 (€3.95) | €2.70 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.19 (€2.04) | €1.83 | + 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.53 (€3.29) | €0.95 | + 247% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (€15) | €7 | + 123% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.55 (€2.38) | €1.91 | + 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.84 (€2.64) | €1.66 | + 60% | |
| Housing | + 33% | |||
| Housing in United States is 33% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| United States | Germany | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,809 (€2,616) | €2,016 | + 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,096 (€1,952) | €1,559 | + 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $216 (€201) | €216 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,010 (€1,872) | €1,297 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,457 (€1,357) | €962 | + 41% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $148 (€137) | €190 | - 28% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $59 (€55) | €34 | + 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $292 (€272) | €430 | - 37% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $123 (€115) | €143 | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (€12) | €10 | + 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (€30) | €18 | + 69% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in Germany | ||||
| United States | Germany | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (€49) | €84 | - 42% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $48 (€45) | €37 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $94 (€87) | €89 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $122 (€113) | €122 | - 7% | |
| Transportation | - 6% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 6% cheaper than in Germany | ||||
| United States | Germany | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,019 (€25,159) | €25,798 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.13 (€1.06) | €1.97 | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (€73) | €71 | + 3% | |
| Personal Care | + 61% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 61% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| United States | Germany | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (€7) | €11 | - 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (€21) | €8 | + 182% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $136 (€127) | €84 | + 51% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (€8) | €3.66 | + 106% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.61 (€4.29) | €2.54 | + 69% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.80 (€5.40) | €3.81 | + 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.68 (€4.36) | €1.63 | + 167% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.13 (€1.99) | €1.56 | + 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (€25) | €21 | + 21% | |
| Entertainment | + 21% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 21% more expensive than in Germany | ||||
| United States | Germany | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $53 (€49) | €41 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (€26) | €24 | + 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $194 (€180) | €139 | + 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (€86) | €59 | + 45% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (€12) | €11 | + 14% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.55 (€5.16) | €3.45 | + 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (€6) | €4.06 | + 49% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $524 (€488) | €708 | - 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (€0.18) | €0.10 | + 84% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $57 (€53) | €44 | + 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (€9) | €8 | + 12% | |
| TOTAL | + 20% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.931
EUR
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,934 prices entered by 3,161 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 20% more expensive than in Germany
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