Cost of Living Comparison Between Krefeld and BerlinCost of Living Comparison Between Krefeld and Berlin
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $2,124 per month in Krefeld vs $2,641 in Berlin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,192 per month in Krefeld vs $3,948 in Berlin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,260 per month in Krefeld vs $5,256 in Berlin, rent included.
🙂Krefeld is about 20% cheaper than Berlin, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Krefeld and Berlin sit above the global median – Krefeld by 55%, Berlin by 92%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.20€14.78
$17.10€14.70
0.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0€63.6
$80.8€69.5
-8.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.67€10.03
$13.70€11.78
-14.82%
Cappuccino
$4.32€3.72
$4.44€3.81
-2.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.87€3.33
$3.54€3.04
9.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30€2.84
$3.19€2.74
3.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.86€5.04
$5.54€4.76
5.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.26€4.53
$4.55€3.91
15.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29€1.11
$1.25€1.08
3.20%
White Bread(500g)
$2.12€1.82
$2.43€2.09
-12.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.84€3.30
$3.46€2.97
10.98%
Eggs
$3.88€3.33
$4.33€3.72
-10.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.00€12.04
$16.59€14.26
-15.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.08€10.39
$12.92€11.11
-6.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$26.09€22.43
$18.40€15.82
41.79%
Apples(1kg)
$3.24€2.78
$3.58€3.08
-9.50%
Banana(1kg)
$2.14€1.84
$2.04€1.75
4.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.56€2.20
$3.05€2.62
-16.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.33€3.73
$3.72€3.20
16.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39€1.20
$2.00€1.72
-30.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.22€1.05
$2.14€1.84
-42.99%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.68€1.44
$1.41€1.21
19.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07€0.92
$1.05€0.90
1.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.92€8.52
$10.51€9.03
-5.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.71€4.91
$7.09€6.09
-19.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10€0.95
$1.33€1.15
-17.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67€1.43
$2.07€1.78
-19.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.57€3.07
$4.54€3.90
-21.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$61.2€52.6
$73.5€63.2
-16.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.13€4.41
$5.42€4.66
-5.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.33€2.00
$3.28€2.82
-28.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.44€29.61
$38.72€33.29
-11.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.16€1.85
$2.24€1.92
-3.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.6K€28.9K
$33.5K€28.8K
0.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.2K€34.6K
$39.7K€34.2K
1.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$415€357
$422€363
-1.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.08€23.28
$19.27€16.56
40.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.11€36.20
$50.6€43.50
-16.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.53€35.71
$42.37€36.42
-1.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.04€25.83
$38.13€32.78
-21.22%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04€12.07
$15.61€13.42
-10.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$469€403
$158€136
196.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.0K€20.6K
$16.6K€14.3K
44.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.5€78.7
$93.4€80.3
-2.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.75€36.75
$46.07€39.60
-7.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107€91.6
$106€91.2
0.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$135€116
$138€119
-2.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$751€646
$1,567€1,347
-52.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$616€530
$1,174€1,010
-47.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,451€1,247
$2,744€2,359
-47.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,140€980
$2,188€1,881
-47.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,413€2,934
$9,126€7,845
-62.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,735€4,070
$5,748€4,942
-17.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Krefeld
Berlin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,025€1,741
$3,398€2,921
-40.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.96
3.8
4.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Krefeld: August 31, 2026
Last update for Berlin: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $751 in Krefeld versus $1,567 in Berlin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 68% higher in Berlin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $74.0 in Krefeld versus $81.0 in Berlin. Groceries tell a different story – $353 in Krefeld vs $352 in Berlin – so Berlin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Krefeld vs Berlin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berlin cheaper than Krefeld?
Yes – Berlin is pricier by about 24%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,187 per month in Krefeld and $3,961 in Berlin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Krefeld, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Krefeld and in Berlin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,124 in Krefeld and $2,641 in Berlin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 20% less in Krefeld. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Krefeld or in Berlin?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Krefeld, where all-in costs run around $2,124, than in Berlin at $2,641. In Krefeld it covers expenses comfortably, while in Berlin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Krefeld or Berlin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Krefeld – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Krefeld or Berlin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Krefeld. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Berlin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.