😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,692 in Frankfurt versus $2,247 in Hildesheim.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,902 in Frankfurt versus $3,328 in Hildesheim.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,112 in Frankfurt versus $4,409 in Hildesheim.
🌍Living in Frankfurt is roughly 20% more expensive than in Hildesheim, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Frankfurt96% above, Hildesheim64% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.26€14.77
$17.67€15.11
-2.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.7€78.4
$74.1€63.3
23.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.03€12.00
$11.40€9.75
23.07%
Cappuccino
$4.69€4.02
$4.03€3.45
16.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.88€3.32
$1.88€1.61
106.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79€3.24
$2.64€2.26
43.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.73€4.90
$4.81€4.11
19.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.68€4.86
$4.70€4.02
20.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33€1.14
$1.42€1.22
-6.34%
White Bread(500g)
$2.33€1.99
$2.25€1.92
3.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.21€2.75
$3.40€2.91
-5.59%
Eggs
$3.77€3.23
$4.17€3.57
-9.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.07€12.04
$14.85€12.70
-5.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.28€10.51
$13.98€11.96
-12.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$23.01€19.68
$19.24€16.45
19.59%
Apples(1kg)
$3.23€2.76
$3.45€2.95
-6.38%
Banana(1kg)
$2.19€1.88
$1.81€1.55
20.99%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19€1.87
$2.27€1.94
-3.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.92€3.36
$4.14€3.54
-5.31%
Potato(1kg)
$1.84€1.57
$1.48€1.26
24.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91€1.64
$1.44€1.24
32.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61€1.38
$1.90€1.62
-15.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05€0.90
$1.25€1.07
-16.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.22€8.74
$9.41€8.05
8.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.46€5.53
$5.86€5.01
10.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.16€0.99
$1.00€0.85
16.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63€1.39
$1.68€1.44
-2.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.51€3.86
$3.49€2.99
29.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$74.3€63.6
$70.4€60.2
5.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.71€4.03
$6.78€5.80
-30.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.27€1.94
$3.84€3.28
-40.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.16€20.66
$53.3€45.59
-54.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.23€1.90
$2.01€1.72
10.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K€29.4K
$31.9K€27.3K
7.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.2K€34.4K
$38.8K€33.2K
3.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$391€334
$494€423
-20.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.77€16.91
$17.54€15.01
12.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.68€39.93
$46.61€39.87
0.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$71.2€60.9
$45.46€38.89
56.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.14€25.78
$35.10€30.03
-14.13%
Cinema Ticket
$17.28€14.78
$13.88€11.87
24.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,116€955
$687€588
62.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.0K€20.5K
$8,452€7,230
183.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$96.2€82.3
$83.3€71.3
15.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.23€29.28
$54.3€46.41
-36.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2€78.9
$108€92.3
-14.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137€117
$89.7€76.7
52.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,401€1,198
$874€748
60.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,176€1,006
$702€601
67.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,795€2,391
$1,574€1,346
77.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,026€1,733
$1,259€1,077
60.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,502€7,273
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,351€3,722
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Frankfurt
Hildesheim
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,232€3,620
$2,473€2,115
71.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.61
3.95
-8.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Frankfurt: August 16, 2026
Last update for Hildesheim: August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,401 in Frankfurt and $874 in Hildesheim. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Frankfurt pays 71% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $92.0 in Frankfurt vs $74.0 in Hildesheim. Groceries flip the comparison at $345 vs $347, with Frankfurt cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Frankfurt vs Hildesheim: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hildesheim cheaper than Frankfurt?
Hildesheim is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 20% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Frankfurt or Hildesheim?
Average pay runs 71% higher in Frankfurt, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Frankfurt and Hildesheim?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,401 in Frankfurt versus $874 in Hildesheim. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Frankfurt or in Hildesheim?
Dining out is cheaper in Hildesheim – a meal for two runs $74.0 versus $92.0 in Frankfurt. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Frankfurt and in Hildesheim?
All in, you'll spend $2,692 per month in Frankfurt versus $2,247 in Hildesheim – a 20% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Frankfurt or in Hildesheim?
At $2,247 in Hildesheim versus $2,692 in Frankfurt, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Hildesheim but tight or insufficient in Frankfurt. The gap between the two cities makes Hildesheim the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Frankfurt or Hildesheim more family-friendly?
For families, Hildesheim is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Frankfurt, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Frankfurt or Hildesheim?
Safety-wise, Frankfurt and Hildesheim are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Hildesheim gentler on the wallet – expenses run 20% less than in Frankfurt. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.