Whether you should study in a city or a small town depends mainly on three things: rent, how close you are to your subject, and the life you want outside lectures. The difference in money is easy to quantify. A shared room costs €510 per month on average across Germany, but €850 in Munich. Cities offer more choice of internships, part-time jobs and leisure activities, while small towns offer shorter distances and often more contact with lecturers and fellow students.
The key points in brief
- Rent is the biggest cost difference. The national average for a shared room is €510 per month, €850 in Munich, €650 in Berlin and Hamburg, and €640 in Cologne.
- In 76 of the 90 university cities studied, the average rent is above the BAföG housing allowance of €380. Students in these cities make up 84% of all students.
- Cities offer more internships, part-time jobs and degree courses. Small towns score with short distances, manageable course sizes and quick networking.
- You will know whether a town suits you best before you enrol: housing market, travel times and course offer can all be checked in advance.
What does studying in a city cost compared with a small town?
In a city, housing is the main cost driver. The Hochschulstädte-Scoring 2026 by the Moses Mendelssohn Institute, which the German Student Services Organisation (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) picks up in a press release dated 17 September 2026 (in German), gives these average figures for a shared room on the open housing market:
| City | Shared room per month | Difference to the BAföG housing allowance (€380) |
|---|---|---|
| National average | €510 | €130 above |
| Munich | €850 | €470 above |
| Berlin | €650 | €270 above |
| Hamburg | €650 | €270 above |
| Cologne | €640 | €260 above |
Example (assumption: both pay the average price): a female student rents a shared room in Munich for €850, while a male student pays the national average of €510. The difference is €340 per month, or €4,080 per year.
The best way to find out what rent is like in a smaller university town is on site. The local Studierendenwerk publishes the prices of its halls of residence, and listing portals show shared rooms. For context on the allowance, the government draft provides for an increase to €440 from 1 April 2027. This is a draft and has not yet been decided.
Parents also work with guideline figures. The Düsseldorf Table (2025 status) generally provides for €990 per month for a child studying away from home, including up to €440 warm rent. In Munich, this share is not enough for an average shared room.
How do daily life and everyday costs differ?
Rent is not the only cost. In daily life, travel, food and leisure matter, and the size of the city plays a role here.
How do I get to university, and what does it cost?
In cities you usually travel to university by bus and train, while in small towns you often cycle or walk. The location of the university also counts: is it a campus on the edge of town or spread across the centre? That determines which districts are worth looking at when you search for a flat, and how long your journey will be.
In 2026, the Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month, and the Germany semester ticket costs €37.80 per month (€226.80 per semester), where it is offered. For 2027, €66.80 and €40.08 per month have been agreed. Whether a semester ticket is part of your semester fee depends on the university. The fee regulations will tell you.
Where can I save on food and everyday costs?
The canteen is a fixed point for affordable food at every site. The best way to use it is explained in the canteen tips (in German). With your student card you also save in many places, and an overview is available in the benefits for students (in German). If you note your monthly spending, you will quickly see whether a city’s prices fit your budget. The article on keeping track of your spending (in German) shows how to do this.
Studying in a small town: what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Small towns offer short distances, a manageable circle of people and usually lower housing costs. On the other hand, the range of leisure and cultural activities is smaller, and for some errands you travel to the nearest larger city.
- Advantages: University, flat and canteen are close together. Courses are often smaller, you see lecturers and fellow students more quickly, and it is easier to find your place.
- Disadvantages: Less culture, dining and nightlife, and fewer connections in the evening and at weekends. There are fewer internships and part-time jobs, and they are often concentrated in a few sectors.
- Good to know: Many small towns have strong subject focuses. If your course has a profile there, the region can connect you well to your field.
Studying in a city: which drawbacks should you plan for?
The drawbacks of studying in a city are mainly costs, the flat search and pace. Rents are well above the national average, and the search for a flat can take weeks. If you are looking for a place in a hall of residence or a shared flat, read our articles on choosing between a hall of residence and a shared flat (in German) and on finding a shared flat (in German).
Daily life is also more demanding. You have to expect longer journeys, more hustle and larger seminars. If you find large groups difficult, you need some initiative to make contacts. In return, a city often offers more universities, courses and advice services in one place.
A bonus: where many companies are based, you will usually find more internships, working-student positions and part-time jobs. This helps your CV and your budget.
How does the place of study affect internships, part-time jobs and entering work?
The place of study affects how many employers you can reach without a long commute. In cities, sectors, corporations and start-ups cluster together, which makes internships and working-student positions easier to find. In small towns, you often work in smaller companies or research institutions instead, where you take on more responsibility.
It is important that your subject fits the location. Some subjects have their focus in particular regions. Before you apply, check which companies and institutes are located near the university.
Which type fits a city or small town?
| What matters to you | More likely a city | More likely a small town |
|---|---|---|
| Costs | Higher rent, more jobs | Usually lower housing costs, fewer jobs |
| Leisure | Culture, clubs, sport, events | Quieter, often with nature nearby |
| Studies | Wide choice of subjects and universities | Manageable groups, short distances |
| Contacts | Large, changing circles | Quick connections, smaller radius |
| Career | Many employers and sectors | Individual focuses, more responsibility |
The table describes tendencies. A quiet university town can have a lively scene, and a city district can feel like a village. The most reliable approach is a visit: walk the route from your flat to the university and look at the neighbourhood at different times of day. An overview of concrete places is in the article on the right student city (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Is studying in a small town cheaper than in a city?
Usually yes, mainly because of rent. A shared room costs €510 per month on national average, and €850 in Munich. For a specific place of study, it is worth looking at current listings and at the hall of residence prices of the local Studierendenwerk.
What are the drawbacks of studying in a city?
High rents, a demanding flat search, longer journeys and larger courses. In addition, contacts in large courses rarely form on their own. In return, a city offers more choice of courses, internships and part-time jobs.
Where is it easier to make friends, in a city or a small town?
In small towns, contacts often form faster, because courses are smaller and many students use the same places. Cities have more groups and clubs, but you have to approach them yourself. Orientation weeks, student councils and university sport help in both places.
What is the BAföG housing allowance, and is it enough for rent?
If you do not live with your parents, BAföG currently pays a housing allowance of €380. In 76 of the 90 university cities studied, the average rent is above that. From 1 April 2027, the government draft provides for €440, but this has not been decided. Your BAföG office can tell you what applies in your case.
What to do now
- Decide which monthly rent you can afford, and compare it with the average figures for your preferred cities.
- Look at the halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk and the travel time to the university before you enrol.
- Check whether employers in your subject are based in the region for internships and part-time jobs.
- Visit the city at least once before you decide, ideally on an ordinary university day.
Related articles
- Travelling cheaply as a student (in German)
- Getting around cheaply during your studies: semester ticket and Deutschlandticket (in German)
- Hall of residence or shared flat: what suits you better? (in German)
- Finding a shared flat: tips for a successful search (in German)
- Studying in Germany: 30 university cities compared (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
