🇩🇪 Frankfurt vs 🇩🇪 Stuttgart

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇩🇪

Frankfurt

Germany

$2,523–$3,995/mo

€2,336 – €3,699 / month (local)

🇩🇪

Stuttgart

Germany

$2,462–$3,897/mo

€2,280 – €3,608 / month (local)

Frankfurt is 3% more expensive

Stuttgart wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryFrankfurt (USD)Stuttgart (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,892–$2,944$1,846–$2,872🟢 Stuttgart
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$999–$1,577$974–$1,538🟢 Stuttgart
Utilities$79–$152$77–$149🟢 Stuttgart
Groceries$399–$599$390–$585🟢 Stuttgart
Eating out (mid-range meal)$53–$95$51–$92🟢 Stuttgart
Public transport (monthly)$100–$121$97–$118🟢 Stuttgart
Internet & Mobile$32–$53$31–$51🟢 Stuttgart
Gym membership$37–$68$36–$67🟢 Stuttgart
Cinema ticket$15–$19$14–$18🟢 Stuttgart
Monthly total (single)$2,523–$3,995$2,462–$3,897🟢 Stuttgart

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing5.3 / 10 · 5.1 / 10
Frankfurt▲ better
Stuttgart
Safety9.6 / 10 · 9.2 / 10
Frankfurt▲ better
Stuttgart
Healthcare7.9 / 10 · 9.2 / 10
Frankfurt
Stuttgart▲ better
Education7.5 / 10 · 8.8 / 10
Frankfurt
Stuttgart▲ better
Environment8.3 / 10 · 9.6 / 10
Frankfurt
Stuttgart▲ better
Economy8.3 / 10 · 7.9 / 10
Frankfurt▲ better
Stuttgart
Culture8.9 / 10 · 8.5 / 10
Frankfurt▲ better
Stuttgart
Internet7.6 / 10 · 8.9 / 10
Frankfurt
Stuttgart▲ better

Who should choose which city?

Choose Frankfurt if…

  • You're happy to pay more for what Frankfurt offers vs Stuttgart
  • ECB
  • Airport hub
  • Salaries
  • Finance

Choose Stuttgart if…

  • You want lower typical monthly costs than Frankfurt
  • Automotive HQ
  • Wine region
  • Green hills
  • Engineering

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Explore Stuttgart