Rental income requirements for apartments in Germany
In Germany, the average additional housing costs (Warmmiete) amount to €3.15 per square metre, equating to around €220 monthly for a 70-square-metre flat. However, the affordability of renting varies significantly across the country.
According to research from The Information Service of the German Economic Institute, tenants in Leipzig, Bremen, Hanover, Jena, Trier, and Koblenz need a gross annual salary of approximately €70,000 to comfortably afford a 68-square-metre apartment. In contrast, other regions require a lower income. For instance, in Saxony-Anhalt, most eastern German states host only a few cities where residents need to earn above the national average to afford typical rents.
The Vogtland district in Saxony stands out as the most budget-friendly locale, with a rent per square metre of €6.48, making it an attractive option for renters. To afford a 70-square-metre apartment in the Vogtland district while adhering to the 30% rent-to-income guideline, an individual tenant will need to earn a gross annual salary of about €34,900.
Other budget-friendly locales include Gera in Thuringia (€38,200), Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony (€42,600), and the cities of Gelsenkirchen and Magdeburg (both around €42,900).
However, some cities are more expensive. Tenants in Munich would need a net monthly income of approximately €5,642 to cover rent comfortably, with an average cost of €1,700 including utilities for a 70-square-metre apartment. Other expensive cities include Starnberg, Fürstenfeldbruck, Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart, Berlin, Dachau, Ebersberg, Miesbach, Freiburg im Breisgau, Heidelberg, and Cologne.
It's important to note that these figures do not account for the hidden costs of renting, such as maintenance, insurance, and potential agency fees. Financial experts recommend individuals avoid spending more than 30% of their net income on rent and associated housing costs for financial stability. In 2022, about one-third of renter households spent more than one-third of their income on cold rent alone.
The Postbank Wohnatlas 2025 provides insights on how rental costs and housing affordability vary across Germany's regions. In 2024, 52.8% of residents in Germany lived in rental accommodation, the highest proportion among EU nations. Almost all rents in Berlin are found to be illegally high.
The median gross salary for full-time foreign workers in Germany is approximately €3,030 per month, compared with €3,950 for native German workers. This difference in income could impact the affordability of housing for foreign workers.
In conclusion, while the cost of renting varies significantly across Germany, it's crucial for renters to consider their income, the rent-to-income ratio, and the hidden costs associated with renting when making housing decisions.
