Fürstenberg an der Weser posts Germany’s lowest rent at €3.86 per sqm

The municipality of Fürstenberg an der Weser in Lower Saxony recorded an average net cold rent of €3.86 per square metre in the 2022 Zensus, making it the cheapest place in Germany according to official statistics. The figure reflects only the basic rent and excludes heating, water, electricity, internet and other utilities. With a population of about 1,000 residents and an area of just over three square kilometres, the town’s low average is influenced by a few long‑term, subsidised contracts. Nationwide, the average net cold rent in the same census was €7.40 per square metre, and about €6.40 in small towns and rural municipalities.

In contrast, the city of Braunschweig reported an average cold rent of €9.37 per square metre, with prices ranging from €7.73 in cheaper districts to €15.89 in the most sought‑after areas. The city’s vacancy rate is very low, and there is no rent‑control brake in place. Student accommodation costs between €250 and €450 per month for shared rooms, while one‑bedroom apartments average around €400. Recent subsidies for student housing are set to end in January 2025, leading to a €50 increase in those rents.