Last update: Oct 2026 Germany 169.1K

Cost of Living in Osnabruck

For one person, living costs in Osnabruck are estimated at $1,913 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about half of the total. Other living expenses average about $31 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Osnabruck

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Osnabruck actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,913 per month with rent, or $947 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,913 /mo

A couple spends around $2,887 per month with rent, or $1,676 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,887 /mo

A family of three spends around $3,861 per month with rent, or $2,405 without housing.

$3,861 /mo

Overall, Osnabruck is 37–42% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are slightly above average (9%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.14 €11.69
$5.48 €4.87
$25.19 €22.40
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.3 €70.6
$52.1 €46.38
$283 €252
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.66 €9.48
$10.10 €8.98
$13.46 €11.98
Cappuccino
$3.80 €3.38
$2.22 €1.97
$5.54 €4.93
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34 €2.97
$2.18 €1.94
$4.14 €3.68
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 €2.53
$2.19 €1.95
$3.85 €3.42
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.94 €4.40
$3.30 €2.93
$6.81 €6.06
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97 €3.53
$3.97 €3.53
$5.66 €5.04
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.29 €1.15
$1.11 €0.99
$2.13 €1.90
White Bread (500g)
$2.00 €1.78
$1.15 €1.02
$5.73 €5.10
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.69 €3.28
$1.66 €1.47
$5.07 €4.51
Eggs
$3.46 €3.08
$2.71 €2.41
$4.62 €4.11
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.91 €11.49
$6.73 €5.99
$33.66 €29.94
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.88 €9.68
$8.53 €7.59
$16.93 €15.06
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.73 €16.66
$13.48 €11.99
$33.57 €29.86
Apples (1kg)
$3.42 €3.04
$1.15 €1.02
$4.56 €4.06
Banana (1kg)
$1.82 €1.62
$1.40 €1.24
$3.25 €2.89
Oranges (1kg)
$2.16 €1.92
$1.14 €1.01
$4.52 €4.02
Tomato (1kg)
$4.05 €3.60
$2.17 €1.93
$5.43 €4.83
Potato (1kg)
$1.42 €1.26
$0.86 €0.76
$2.28 €2.03
Onion (1kg)
$1.23 €1.10
$1.09 €0.97
$3.44 €3.06
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.59 €1.41
$1.10 €0.98
$2.20 €1.96
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 €0.74
$0.33 €0.29
$1.70 €1.51
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.48 €8.43
$8.93 €7.95
$10.89 €9.69
Wine (Bottle)
$5.48 €4.87
$4.39 €3.90
$8.78 €7.81
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 €0.87
$0.72 €0.64
$1.64 €1.46
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48 €1.32
$1.13 €1.01
$1.79 €1.59
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.74 €3.33
$3.31 €2.94
$4.63 €4.12
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$70.4 €62.6
$69.3 €61.6
$70.4 €62.6
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.03 €2.69
$3.03 €2.69
$8.74 €7.78
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.06 €2.72
$3.06 €2.72
$3.40 €3.03
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.76 €38.03
$42.76 €38.03
$42.76 €38.03
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.26 €2.01
$1.87 €1.66
$2.56 €2.28
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K €27.0K
$30.4K €27.0K
$32.9K €29.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.6K €33.4K
$36.6K €32.5K
$37.9K €33.7K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$279 €248
$157 €140
$472 €420
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.53 €27.16
$8.80 €7.83
$44.00 €39.14
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.63 €31.69
$28.24 €25.12
$50.8 €45.18
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.2 €45.54
$22.74 €20.22
$56.9 €50.6
Cinema Ticket
$13.26 €11.80
$9.94 €8.84
$17.68 €15.73
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$400 €356
$395 €351
$406 €361
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$19.7K €17.5K
$19.7K €17.5K
$21.0K €18.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$98.5 €87.6
$80.7 €71.8
$131 €117
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.32 €34.97
$22.45 €19.97
$104 €92.1
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.2 €78.5
$44.24 €39.35
$111 €98.4
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 €95.4
$100 €89.4
$169 €151
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$632 €562
$451 €401
$790 €702
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$687 €611
$548 €488
$822 €732
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,625 €1,446
$1,428 €1,270
$1,977 €1,758
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,178 €1,048
$994 €884
$1,435 €1,277
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,928 €3,494
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,327 €2,960
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,663 €1,479
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.92
3.8
4

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Osnabruck $1,913
Accommodation & Living
$687
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$345
Groceries & Markets
$310
Eating Out
$240
Clothing & Footwear
$150
Getting Around
$104
Sport & Entertainment
$78

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $632, dropping to $687 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 38% of the average salary ($1,663) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $1,663 – below monthly costs of $1,913. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $310 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $79.0 – broadly in line with the European average.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $70.4 – above the European average of $49.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 92% of cities in Europe

Gasoline is more expensive than 90% of cities in Europe

Taxi is more expensive than 90% of cities in Europe

Good to know
🕒 Local time
09:48 9:48 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
169,108
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
📈 Exchange rate
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USD to EUR – Euro Converter

Euro exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 0.889 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

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Osnabruck Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Osnabruck - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Osnabruck for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared to larger German cities?
Osnabruck sits in the middle tier of German cities for affordability. Travelers and expats often find good value in housing outside the historic core, with easy access to groceries, cafes, and public transport without the premium you'd see in larger metropolises. Seasonal events and university cycles can shift prices briefly, but the overall vibe is practical and walkable. You get a compact city feel with enough options for day trips to nearby towns. Cost of Living in Osnabruck, Germany is generally predictable for planning a long stay, especially if you balance housing and transit choices. Tip: Start with a neighborhood walk to size up options and seasonal crowding.
What does daily life look like for housing, food, transport, and coworking in Osnabruck?
Daily life in Osnabruck blends manageable rents, a strong bike culture, and food markets that keep costs reasonable. For housing, look beyond the Altstadt to student and university neighborhoods where you'll find more space and better value; consider co-living and long-term sublets to lock in steady rates. Grocery shopping leans toward local markets, with seasonal produce and affordable staples. Transport is efficient: good bus coverage, compact streets, and easy train access to larger cities if you need a weekend away. For digital nomads, several coworking spaces and cafes offer reliable Wi-Fi and atmosphere. Osnabruck, Germany living cost is easy to manage with thoughtful planning. Tip: Use a transit app and a week-by-week rent search plan.
How can you approach budgeting and neighborhood fit to maximize quality of life in Osnabruck?
Quality of life in Osnabruck depends on choosing a neighborhood that matches your rhythm. Budgeting framework: separate housing, food, and activities; set a monthly cap and track subscriptions or coworking passes. Seasonality affects heating in winter and air-con in some spots; shoulder seasons can offer cheaper rentals and quieter streets. Neighborhood fit: Altstadt for central access, Schinkel or Hafen for calmer lanes and green spaces, and the university districts for lively cafes and shorter commutes. Practical tips: use local markets, bike or walk, and look for longer-term leases to avoid frequent moves. Tip: Build a simple monthly template and compare neighborhoods by access to transit and groceries.
Is Osnabruck expensive to live in?
Osnabruck sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $1,913, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Osnabruck?
Housing in Osnabruck takes a heavy bite – about 38% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
What is a good salary in Osnabruck?
In Osnabruck, $2,870 per month is what most people would call a good salary. It handles rent, food, and utilities with enough left for savings and the occasional splurge. Above that, you unlock better apartments and more freedom with spending.
Is rent high in Osnabruck?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Osnabruck – 1-bedroom apartments range from $687 to $632 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
Is food expensive in Osnabruck?
Grocery spending in Osnabruck lands around $310 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
How much is public transport in Osnabruck?
Getting around Osnabruck by public transport costs about $70.4 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Osnabruck?
$2,000 is below the $1,913 average in Osnabruck, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Can you retire comfortably in Osnabruck?
Osnabruck makes a good retirement base. About $2,870 per month covers housing, healthcare, and everyday needs with enough left for some leisure and travel. It strikes a nice balance between cost and comfort.
How affordable is Osnabruck?
Osnabruck is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,913, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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