Cost of Living in Giessen - Updated Prices & Insights

75.44
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,040 (excluding rent), and $2,310 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,642 (excluding rent), and $4,290 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.92 €18.06
$8.13 €7.02
$29.05 €25.08
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.7 €69.7
$48.45 €41.83
$138 €120
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.88 €11.12
$11.45 €9.89
$13.75 €11.87
Cappuccino
$3.81 €3.29
$2.32 €2
$4.65 €4.02
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 €2.53
$1.36 €1.18
$5.68 €4.9
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 €1.7
$1.14 €0.98
$3.4 €2.94
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.84 €4.18
$2.27 €1.96
$7.97 €6.88
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.29 €4.56
$4.11 €3.55
$11.74 €10.14
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.27 €1.1
$1.17 €1.01
$1.71 €1.47
White Bread (500g)
$2.26 €1.95
$1.86 €1.61
$4.69 €4.05
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.33 €2.87
$3.02 €2.61
$5.14 €4.44
Eggs
$3.82 €3.3
$3.23 €2.79
$5.44 €4.7
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.46 €12.49
$14.35 €12.39
$22.78 €19.67
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.03 €12.11
$8.69 €7.5
$19.42 €16.76
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.68 €16.99
$17.35 €14.98
$34.81 €30.06
Apples (1kg)
$3.14 €2.71
$2.35 €2.03
$3.52 €3.04
Banana (1kg)
$1.79 €1.55
$1.47 €1.27
$2.84 €2.45
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 €1.88
$1.88 €1.62
$3.42 €2.95
Tomato (1kg)
$4.74 €4.09
$1.7 €1.46
$5.63 €4.86
Potato (1kg)
$1.44 €1.24
$0.89 €0.76
$1.65 €1.42
Onion (1kg)
$1.38 €1.19
$1.08 €0.93
$2.03 €1.75
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94 €1.68
$1.4 €1.21
$2.34 €2.02
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 €1.03
$0.59 €0.51
$2.09 €1.8
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.51 €8.21
$9.51 €8.21
$11.6 €10.01
Wine (Bottle)
$5.71 €4.93
$5.7 €4.92
$14.84 €12.82
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.01 €0.88
$0.73 €0.63
$1.7 €1.47
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 €1.4
$1.31 €1.13
$1.93 €1.67
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.39 €2.92
$3.16 €2.73
$3.95 €3.41
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$62.5 €54
$57.2 €49.41
$67.7 €58.5
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.96 €5.15
$4.77 €4.11
$11.91 €10.28
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.37 €1.19
$1.37 €1.19
$3.06 €2.64
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$39.28 €33.92
$37.57 €32.44
$40.98 €35.39
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.94 €1.68
$1.89 €1.63
$2.02 €1.75
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.2K €26.9K
$31.2K €26.9K
$31.2K €26.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.7K €31.7K
$36.7K €31.7K
$40.1K €34.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$330 €285
$280 €242
$491 €424
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.61 €29.02
$10.48 €9.05
$46.52 €40.17
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.5 €47.07
$46.11 €39.81
$57.7 €49.77
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.47 €27.17
$15.02 €12.97
$57.8 €49.86
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.16 €21.72
$9.43 €8.15
$25.16 €21.72
Cinema Ticket
$13.8 €11.91
$10.35 €8.94
$17.24 €14.89
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,123 €970
$578 €499
$1,444 €1,247
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$46.1K €39.8K
$11.4K €9,872
$102.9K €88.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.15 €40.71
$47.15 €40.71
$118 €102
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23 €19.86
$23 €19.86
$104 €89.4
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$107 €92.7
$70.8 €61.1
$177 €153
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$136 €117
$104 €89.5
$288 €249
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$930 €803
$581 €502
$936 €808
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$928 €801
$464 €400
$928 €801
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,513 €1,306
$1,280 €1,105
$1,746 €1,507
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,267 €1,094
$921 €795
$1,497 €1,292
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,133 €4,431
$3,975 €3,432
$5,711 €4,931
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,838 €2,451
$2,271 €1,960
$3,406 €2,941
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,517 €2,173
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.98
3.95
4.5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Giessen - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Giessen stack up for overall affordability and value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Giessen offers a practical balance: you gain easy access to culture, services, and a compact, bike-friendly city that's easy to navigate. The Cost of Living in Giessen tends to be lower than in larger German hubs, especially for housing and day-to-day essentials, while still delivering reliable public transit and a friendly international vibe. You’ll find a mix of affordable apartments near the university and quieter neighborhoods a short ride away, plus seasonal markets that help with budgeting. Tip: test a few neighborhoods during a week or two to find the rhythm that fits your work and travel schedule.
What does daily life look like in Giessen for someone budgeting on a modest plan, including housing, food, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Giessen can be practical and affordable if you plan around housing options and the local market. For housing, consider shared flats or compact apartments near the university or transit routes; longer leases can simplify budgeting. For food, budget-conscious shoppers will find discount supermarkets and weekly farmers markets. Transport relies on buses and bikes, with most errands reachable within a 20–30 minute ride. Use a mix of cooking at home and occasional dining out to balance costs. Giessen living cost stays friendly when you prioritize practical neighborhoods and a predictable transit routine. Tip: compare neighborhoods by a short walk between the bus stop and your potential door.
How can you optimize life in Giessen for long-term quality, budgeting frameworks, and seasonal or neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Giessen comes from a walkable center, green spaces along the river, and a steady stream of cultural events. A simple budgeting framework helps you balance fixed costs (rent, utilities, internet) and variable ones (groceries, coffee, transport). In winter, heating can shift bills, so set a sensible thermostat and layer up. To find the right vibe, test a few neighborhoods – near the university for energy and social life, or quieter streets for daytime work. Seasonal markets and city festivals offer low-cost leisure. Tip: earmark a monthly split between needs and wants to keep spending decisions clear.
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