Best Cities in Germany to Live In 2026
4 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Grid reliability
Path to PR
Corporate tax
Berlin
75/100Hamburg
73/100Munich
73/100Frankfurt
71/100Compare cities in Germany
❓ Living in Germany — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Germany?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Berlin ranks #1 in Germany with a score of 75/100, and city-centre rent from around $1550/month.
What is the cheapest city in Germany?▾
Frankfurt has the most affordable city-centre rent in our Germany data, at around $1358/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in Germany?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Munich is the safest city in Germany in our database, with a rate of 0.9 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Berlin or Hamburg?▾
Berlin scores 75/100 on our Livability Score vs 73/100 for Hamburg. Rent is $1550/mo in Berlin vs $1359/mo in Hamburg. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Germany?▾
Germany offers the Germany Freelancer Visa (complex process). Duration: 1–3 years. Key requirement: Proof of freelance work, health insurance, sufficient income. German bureaucracy included.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.