Cost of Living: Cologne vs Stuttgart (2026)
Germany vs Germany — relocation comparison
- VAT-free under €25k
- €1200/yr accountant
- VAT-free under €25k
- €1200/yr accountant
Sourced from Numbeo · Updated June 2026
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated June 2026
Sun
How much sky you actually get
Sun clocks out before 5pm in both cities come December. Plan accordingly.
Source: WeatherSpark (clear-sky share of daytime hours)
Settler Essentials
Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
Reproductive Rights
Because your body shouldn't need a visa too
Not punishable within 12 weeks with mandatory counseling and 3-day waiting period.
Not punishable within 12 weeks with mandatory counseling and 3-day waiting period.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Can you hold hands without doing a risk assessment first
Source: Rainbow Europe (ILGA-Europe)
The Short Version
- •Rent is 1% cheaper in Stuttgart ($1157/mo vs $1171/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Stuttgart (24°C vs 24°C).
- •Stuttgart is safer by homicide rate (0.3 vs 1.0 per 100k).
Cologne vs Stuttgart — Common Questions
Is Cologne cheaper than Stuttgart?▾
Stuttgart is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1157/month in Stuttgart vs $1171/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Cologne or Stuttgart?▾
Stuttgart is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Cologne has a rate of 0.98 per 100,000 and Stuttgart has 0.33 per 100,000.
Should I move to Cologne or Stuttgart?▾
Cologne and Stuttgart are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
What's the cost of rent in Cologne vs Stuttgart?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1157/month in Stuttgart, $1171/month in Cologne (Numbeo). That's 1% cheaper rent in Stuttgart.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Compare Cologne
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Compare Stuttgart
Stuttgart vs Graz
Let the algorithm judge you
2 min quiz — surprisingly accurate
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