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In northern Germany, Hamburg is a beautiful city. It has a major port and is captivated by its rich maritime heritage, vibrant culture, and bustling city life. The average monthly cost of living in Hamburg without rent is around EUR 1,050, while rent in Hamburg ranges from EUR 1,000 to EUR 750 per month. The living expenses in Hamburg can vary according to a person’s living standards and preferences.
Many expats around the world move for jobs and study in Hamburg. If you plan to move to Hamburg, you will have to deal with all of the duties and challenges that studying abroad brings, as well as the average living expenses there. In this blog, we will discuss with you the average cost of living in Hamburg with various parameters, such as food and grocery costs, rent costs, transportation costs, utilities costs, and many others. So, let’s begin our discussion without any further delay.
This Blog Includes:
Cost of Living in Hamburg for International Students
On average, the monthly cost of living in Hamburg for a single person, including rent, is around EUR 1800. It ranks as the 7th most expensive city in Germany. Hamburg attracts many expats worldwide for its unmatched living standards and high-quality education system.
Students need to know the average expenses before moving to Hamburg. To help expats planning to move here, we have categorised the average cost of living in Hamburg into different categories.
Cost of Rent in Hamburg
Approx. EUR 800 to EUR 1000 is the average cost of rent in Hamburg for a single person, but it can vary according to the living standard and location a person prefers. The approx. costs of living in Hamburg concerning apartment rent are as follows:
| Apartment Location | Approx. Monthly Rent |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | EUR 995 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | EUR 737 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | EUR 1,894 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | EUR 1,400 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide on Helsinki’s Expense
Cost of Grocery in Hamburg
Approx. EUR 90 is the average monthly cost of groceries in Hamburg, including all grocery costs such as milk, bread, rice, water, vegetables, fruits and other groceries. As a daily expense, grocery costs can impact your cost of living in Hamburg. Below is the list of a few grocery items with their prices available in Hamburg:
| Grocery Item | Approx. Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | EUR 1.12 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | EUR 2.01 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | EUR 2.81 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | EUR 3.58 |
| Apples (1kg) | EUR 2.66 |
| Banana (1kg) | EUR 1.39 |
| Oranges (1kg) | EUR 2.00 |
| Tomato (1kg) | EUR 3.65 |
| Potato (1kg) | EUR 1.68 |
| Onion (1kg) | EUR 1.77 |
| Water (1.5 litre bottle) | EUR 1.90 |
| Cheese, Meat, Egg, Drinks and Other items | EUR 60 |
Cost of Utilities in Hamburg
The monthly basic utility cost in Hamburg for a single person is Approx. EUR 300, which is relatively low compared to the cost of living in Hamburg. Electricity, gas, a monthly mobile plan, and internet data are included in the utility cost in Hamburg. For your reference, we have given the Cost of Utilities in Hamburg for immigrant students in the country:
| Utility Type | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | EUR 295.81 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | EUR 24.10 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | EUR 42.73 |
Cost of Transportation in Hamburg
The cost of transportation in Hamburg comes under the overall cost of living in Hamburg. Approx. EUR 49 is the monthly local transport cost in Hamburg for travelling around a local city. Its public transportation network includes buses, cars, subways and light rail, carpool services, taxis, bikes, and commuter trains. Here, we have given various modes of transportation with their fare costs:
| Mode of Transport | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | EUR 3.35 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | EUR 49.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | EUR 4.80 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | EUR 2.60 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | EUR 36.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | EUR 1.77 |
Average Tuition Cost in Hamburg
The education system of Hamburg, Germany is wonderful. Germany ranked 8th out of 40 countries in terms of average student reading, numeracy, and science scores. Along with the average cost of living in Hamburg, the essential thing for you is the average tuition fees of top Public and private universities in Hamburg.
The average tuition cost in Hamburg for undergraduate programs and postgraduate programs is around EUR 1,486.99 to EUR 34,778. /year. For your reference, in the table, we have given the average tuition fees for some top universities in Hamburg.
| Universities in Hamburg | Approx. Tuition Cost (per year) |
| University of Hamburg | EUR 0 – EUR 5,500 |
| Hamburg University of Technology | EUR 0 – EUR 14,342 |
| Hamburg University of Applied Sciences | EUR 0 – EUR 2,567 |
| Helmut-Schmidt-Universität/Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg | EUR 0 – EUR 5,000 |
| HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration | EUR 3,990 – EUR 4,740 |
| Brand University of Applied Sciences | EUR 4,470 – EUR 6,840 |
| Bucerius Law School | EUR 12,500 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide on Georgia’s Expense
Things to Consider Before Moving to Hamburg
Before finalising the cost of living in Hamburg’s budget, a student should consider a few other essential things while moving to Hamburg for higher education. We’ve researched and gathered information you’d be glad to know before going to Hamburg. we have included some crucial things you should consider before moving to Hamburg:
Discounts for Students in Hamburg
Students going to Hamburg can enjoy great deals at various establishments, including restaurants, movie theatres, and clothing stores. This will help you reduce the cost of living in Hamburg. To take advantage of this, always keep your student ID with you.
Weather in Hamburg
Hamburg has an average temperature of 17°C in the hottest month, July, and in the coldest month, January, the temperature goes 1 °C. The average rainfall here is about 82 mm. Moreover, August is the best month to swim in the sea in Hamburg, when the sea temperature is around 20°C.
Renting a bike in Hamburg
Renting a bike in Hamburg is a safer, cheaper, and healthier alternative. Moreover, it will not affect your cost of living.
Work-Life Balance in Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany, offers a fantastic work-life balance. With a happy life here, you can enjoy living leisurely in Hamburg. Moreover, On Sundays, almost everything is closed.
Broad Cuisine in Hamburg
With an extensive cuisine, there is something for everyone. However, if you’re moving to Germany, it’s a must to try some of the country’s most traditional foods, including Spätzle, Rouladen, and Maultaschen. It will not affect the cost of living in Hamburg that much.
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FAQs
Answer: The average cost of living in Hamburg, including rent, is EUR 1800 and it can vary according to the location and standard of lifestyle you select in Hamburg.
Answer: No, Hamburg is not more expensive than Berlin because the average cost of living in Hamburg is 7% cheaper than the average cost of living in Berlin.
Answer: The average rent in Hamburg for a single person is around EUR 800 to EUR 1000. The average rent in Hamburg varies according to the location a person selects, which makes the cost of living in Hamburg affordable.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Hamburg. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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