Cost of Living in Bonn: A Guide

Are you a student wondering about the cost of living in Bonn while planning to study abroad in Germany? The city has a rich history being the capital of West Germany and seat of power of Germany until 1999. It is also the birthplace of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. But how much does it cost to live in this charming city on the Rhine River? This blog will give you an overview of what to expect in terms of cost while staying in Bonn, covering expenses like housing, transportation, food, and so on. Read on to know more!

Also Read: Moving to Germany A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Study in Bonn?

While the cost of living in Bonn is slightly higher than the national average (EUR 1,750), but it’s lower than some other major cities in Germany. Inspite of that, students from around the world flock to the German city for the following reasons:

1. Job prospects: Bonn is home to many UN agencies and over 150 NGOs, offering a wide range of employment opportunities, especially for students who are interested in social studies.
2. Language options: Bonn has universities that offer courses in both German and English. Some courses are entirely in English.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Bonn has 3 universities, 2 of which (University of Bonn, University of Applied Sciences for Finance) are public and do not charge any tuition fees. You can study at excellent universities in Bonn without paying anything.

Cost of Living in Bonn

The average monthly cost of living in Bonn is EUR 1,750 for a single person. But it can vary with a person’s lifestyle and preferences. The following table displays some other essential living costs in Bonn for a single person:

Category	Average Monthly Cost
Living Accommodation	€ 1,000
Food	€ 300
Entertainment	€ 200
Utilities and Bills	€ 150
Transportation	€ 100
Total	€ 1,750

Living Accommodation

The average monthly cost of living in Bonn for accommodation is around EUR 1,000. Depending on the accommodation’s type, size, location, and quality, here’s how the rent varies:

3 bedroom apartment in the city centre	EUR 1,666
3 bedroom apartment outside the city centre	EUR 1,278
1 bedroom apartment in the city centre	EUR 714
1 bedroom apartment outside the city centre	EUR 574

So if you are looking for cheaper options, you can consider sharing an apartment with other people or staying in a student residence. The following table shows the average monthly rent for different types of student accommodations in Bonn:

Type	Average Monthly Rent
Shared Apartment	€ 400 – € 500
Student Residence	€ 250 – € 350
Private Apartment	€ 600 – € 800

Food

The average monthly cost of living in Bonn for food is around EUR 300, depending on your eating habits and preferences. Here’s how much eating out costs you in the city:

Eating out at a mid-range restaurant (2 people)	€ 70
Eating at a fast-food restaurant (combo meal)	€ 9
Basic lunchtime menu in the business district (drink included)	€ 13

If you want to save money on food, you can cook your own meals at home or buy groceries from supermarkets or local markets. The following table shows the prices of some common grocery items in Bonn:

Item	Price
Milk (1 liter)	€ 1.07
Bread (500 g)	€ 1.57
Eggs (12)	€ 3.10
Cheese (500 g)	€ 5.00
Chicken (500 g)	€ 5.48
Apples (1 kg)	€ 1.93
Bananas (1 kg)	€ 1.34
Tomatoes (1 kg)	€ 1.33
Potatoes (1 kg)	€ 1.41

Also Read: Best Restaurants Near the University of Bonn: A Guide

Entertainment

The average monthly cost of living in Bonn for entertainment is around EUR 200, depending on your hobbies and interests. There are many things to do and see in Bonn, such as visiting museums, parks, monuments, theatres, cinemas, bars, clubs, and festivals. The following table shows some examples of entertainment costs in Bonn:

Type	Cost
Cinema Ticket	€ 10 – € 15
Theater Ticket	€ 20 – € 40
Museum Ticket	€ 5 – € 10
Beer (0.5 liter)	€ 4.50
Wine (0.75 liter)	€ 6.00

Utilities and Bills

This cost of living in Bonn is around EUR 150/month, depending on the size of your accommodation and your usage. Utilities include electricity, heating, water, garbage, and internet. Bills include phone, TV, and other subscriptions. The following table shows some examples of utility and bill costs in Bonn:

Type	Cost
Electricity, Heating, Water, Cooling, Garbage (85 m2 apartment)	€ 321
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	€ 46
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	€ 36
TV (basic)	€ 20

Also Read: Top Ways to Have the Best Study Abroad Experience

Transportation

This cost of living in Bonn is around EUR 100/month, depending on the distance and frequency of your travel. Bonn has a well-developed public transportation system, consisting of buses, trams, subways, and regional trains. You can also use taxis, car-sharing, or bike-sharing services for short trips. The following table shows some examples of transportation costs in Bonn:

Type	Cost
Public Transportation Ticket (one-way)	€ 3.10
Public Transportation Monthly Pass	€ 90.00
Taxi Start	€ 3.50
Taxi 1 km	€ 2.00
Gasoline (1 litre)	€ 2.04
Car-Sharing (per minute)	€ 0.19
Bike-Sharing (per hour)	€ 1.00

Also Read: Living in Cologne, Germany: Pros and Cons, Tips, Cost of Living, Surprising Elements

So to sum up, Bonn is a modern and dynamic economy with a rich history and culture. But there are ways to reduce your expenses and save money, such as sharing an apartment, cooking at home, using public transportation, or taking advantage of discounts and free events. With some planning and budgeting, you can live comfortably and happily in Bonn.

FAQs

We hope that this blog helped you discover the cost of living in Bonn. To know more of student life abroad, make sure to subscribe to Leverage Edu. Thank you for reading!