Best cities to live in Germany (2026)
7 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
Leipzig
86/100Stuttgart
84/100Cologne
83/100Berlin
77/100Hamburg
75/100Munich
75/100Frankfurt
73/100Compare cities in Germany
❓ Living in Germany — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Germany?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Leipzig ranks #1 in Germany with a score of 86/100, and city-centre rent from around $800/month.
What is the safest city in Germany?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Stuttgart is the safest city in Germany in our database, with a rate of 0.3 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Leipzig or Stuttgart?▾
Leipzig scores 86/100 on our Livability Score vs 84/100 for Stuttgart. Rent is $800/mo in Leipzig vs $1157/mo in Stuttgart. 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 EU Blue Card (Germany) (complex process). Duration: Up to 4 years. Key requirement: Job offer paying ≥ €50,700/yr (€45,934 for shortage occupations like IT/STEM). Degree must be recognized on Anabin. Spouse works freely.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.
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