Cost of Living in Berlin

Berlin's rental market is one of the tightest in Europe, with a vacancy rate hovering around 1.5%, and finding long-term accommodation requires persistence, strategy, and a clear understanding of costs. For a digital nomad arriving without an existing German address, the most realistic entry point is a furnished apartment or coliving space. Furnished one-bedroom apartments average around $1,490/month, though prices vary sharply by neighborhood. In Mitte, expect $1,770/month or more, with asking rents reaching $21-27 per square meter. Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf runs $1,600-$1,900/month, Prenzlauer Berg $1,650-$1,800, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain $1,400-$1,700, Neukölln $1,000-$1,350, and Wedding remains the best value at $900-$1,200/month.

Berlin remains one of the most affordable major Western European capitals for eating out. The Imbiss -- Germany's beloved quick-service snack stand -- is everywhere: a Currywurst with fries runs $3.50-$5.90, while a Falafel wrap or Shawarma costs $6.50-$9.00. The Döner kebab, Berlin's undisputed street food king, now averages roughly $9.80 (up sharply from $5.90 a couple years ago), though bargain-hunters can still find solid options for $5.90-$7.00 in Neukölln. Asian street food like pho or pad thai runs $7.00-$11.00.

Berlin is exceptionally well-served by supermarkets. Aldi and Lidl anchor the budget end, while Edeka and Rewe offer broader selection at moderately higher prices. At Aldi or Lidl: milk $1.28-$1.52/L, Mischbrot $2.10-$2.70, 10-pack eggs $2.95-$3.55, 500g ground meat $5.30-$5.90, potatoes $1.52-$2.10/kg, butter $1.75/250g, pasta $1.15-$1.52/500g, apples $2.70-$3.30/kg. At Rewe and Edeka, items cost 15-25% more but with wider selection and better delis. A single person cooking at home spends roughly $245-$325/month at discount chains, or $325-$415 at full-service stores.

Berlin's public transit network, operated by BVG and S-Bahn Berlin, is one of Europe's most comprehensive. The system includes ten U-Bahn lines, fifteen S-Bahn lines, twenty-two tram routes, and an extensive bus network running around the clock on weekends. The crown jewel is the Deutschlandticket at $66/month (EUR 63 as of January 2026), providing unlimited travel on all local transit nationwide -- including spontaneous day trips to Potsdam, Dresden, Hamburg, or the Baltic coast. A single AB-zone ticket costs about $4.40, while an ABC ticket including the airport zone runs $5.25.

Berlin offers strong internet infrastructure with a median residential download speed of approximately 123 Mbps. DSL and cable are dominant, available in roughly 90% and 66% of households respectively, while true FTTH reaches about 1 in 5 households. Major providers are Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O2, and 1&1, with 50 Mbps plans starting at $10-$15/month promotional and rising to $35-$42. Vodafone cable offers up to 1 Gbps for about $52/month. German ISP contracts often lock you in for 24 months, so confirm the existing internet situation when subletting.

Germany operates one of the world's most robust healthcare systems, built on a dual-pillar model that every resident must participate in. The public system (GKV) covers roughly 90% of the population. For self-employed individuals, the GKV contribution totals roughly 19.5% of gross income, with a minimum of approximately $240/month and maximum capping at $900-$950/month. Private insurance (PKV) premiums are based on age and health rather than income -- young, healthy freelancers can find plans starting at $250-$380/month, with shorter specialist wait times but premiums rising with age.

Berlin's bureaucracy is legendary, and the single most important task upon arrival is the Anmeldung -- mandatory address registration at the Bürgeramt within 14 days of moving in. Without your Meldebestätigung, you cannot open a bank account, obtain a tax ID, sign a phone contract, get health insurance, or apply for a residence permit. Securing an appointment is notoriously difficult -- check the online system daily, try multiple Bürgeramt locations, and show up for walk-in slots. You need a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord, which Airbnb hosts may refuse. Shortly after registering, expect a letter demanding the Rundfunkbeitrag (broadcasting fee) of $20/month per household -- this is mandatory regardless of TV ownership.