Student WG rents rise sharply in major German cities

An analysis by the Moses Mendelssohn Institute reveals significant regional disparities in the cost of shared apartment (WG) rooms for students in Germany. While the national average for rooms in two-to-three-person households has remained relatively stable at approximately 510 euros, prices in major metropolitan areas have risen sharply.

In the four largest German cities—Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne—the average price for a room before the winter semester reached 692 euros, an increase of 23 euros compared to six months prior. Munich remains the most expensive location, with a median rent of 850 euros. Berlin and Hamburg follow with a median of 650 euros, while Cologne sits at 640 euros.

In contrast, cities in eastern Germany such as Chemnitz, Magdeburg, Halle, Jena, and Trier offer much more affordable options, with Chemnitz reporting a median of 305 euros. Stefan Brauckmann, Managing Director of the Moses Mendelssohn Institute, noted that these price differences can significantly influence which university locations are financially viable for young people moving for their studies.