Cologne, Germany

Editor

Editor

March 12, 2023

Cologne is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and exciting city to explore. Located in the heart of Germany, Cologne is a bustling metropolis with a rich cultural heritage and plenty of opportunities for digital nomads to work and play. With its convenient location, Cologne is easily accessible from other major cities in Europe, making it an ideal base for digital nomads.Cologne is a great place to live and work, with a cost of living that is lower than many other major cities in Europe. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Cologne is around 20% lower than in London, making it an attractive option for digital nomads. The city also offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury apartments, so digital nomads can find the perfect place to stay.Cologne is also a great place to explore, with plenty of attractions to keep digital nomads busy. The city is home to some of Germany’s most iconic landmarks, including the Cologne Cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge, and the Rhine Promenade. Digital nomads can also explore the city’s vibrant nightlife, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from.Cologne is also a great place to stay connected, with excellent internet speeds and reliable mobile coverage. According to Speedtest, the average download speed in Cologne is around 50 Mbps, making it one of the fastest cities in Germany. Digital nomads can also take advantage of the city’s excellent public transport system, with buses, trams, and trains running throughout the city.Overall, Cologne is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and exciting city to explore. With its convenient location, low cost of living, and excellent internet speeds, Cologne is the perfect place for digital nomads to work and play.

Living in Cologne, Germany: Overview

Overall score | Worksplorer index

  • 75%

    Quality of life
  • 48%

    Cost of living
  • 86%

    Connectivity
  • 85%

    Weather

62

General

CurrencyEUR
Population (in millions)1.1
Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200)78
Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA10% more expensive
Best neighborhood to stay Ehrenfeld, Kalk
Culture

Number of museums and galleries80
Top selling local beerKölsch
Most popular local dishHimmel und Erde
Travel

Most popular tourist attraction(s)Cologne Cathedral, Great St. Martin Church, Rhine Promenade
Discount airlineEurowings
Major airlineLufthansa
Largest ride sharing companymytaxi
Primary train stationsKöln Hauptbahnhof, Köln Messe/Deutz, Köln-Ehrenfeld
Primary airportsCologne Bonn Airport, Düsseldorf Airport, and Weeze Airport
Best rental car companyEuropcar
Used car costs15000 EUR
Connectivity

Apple store addresses Apple Store Cologne, Schildergasse 85-87, 50667 Cologne, Germany
Internet connection (in Mbps)100 Mbps
Power socket typeC,F
Supply voltage 230V
Best electronics storeMediaMarkt
Best internet carrierVodafone
Primary cellular carrierVodafone
Average monthly cost for internet40 EUR
Shopping

The best drug storeRossmann
Best restaurant chainImhoff-Stollwerck
The best grocery storeRewe
The most popular fashion brandH&M
Regulatory

GDP per capita$45,845 / year
Average annual income$45,000
Sales tax rate19%
Income tax rate42%
Tourist visa valid (in days)90 days
Financial

Average mortgage rate2.5%
Suggested ATM take out200 EUR
Bank that has the most ATM machinesDeutsche Bank
Average tip in restaurant15%
Pay using credit or debit cardLess common
Health

Emergency Phone Numbers112 (general), 110 (police), 112 (ambulance), 112 (firefighters)
Polution per square meter3,845
Health quality rank (according to WHO) 11
Main religionCatholic
Quality of life

75%

  • 58%

    Safety, freedom, rights
  • 99%

    Traffic
  • 89%

    Property to income
  • 42%

    Crime
  • 74%

    Healthcare
  • 85%

    Weather
Salaries

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)€2,422
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate2.26%
Childcare

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child€671
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child€11,600
Cost of living

48%

  • Purchasing Power

    93%

     

     

  • Rent

    27%

     

     

  • Food

    54%

     

     

  • Restaurant

    58%

     

     

  • Workspace

    40%

     

     

  • Transport

    36%

     

     

Rent

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month€881.05
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month€699.75
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month€1,636.33
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month€1,227.35
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure€27.58
Food

Milk (regular), (1 liter)€1.12
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)€1.73
Eggs (regular) (12)€2.66
Local Cheese (1kg)€11.37
Water (1.5 liter bottle)€0.56
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)€5.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)€0.56
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)€1.98
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)€8.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)€10.02
Apples (1kg)€2.41
Oranges (1kg)€2.03
Potato (1kg)€1.71
Lettuce (1 head)€1.46
Rice (white), (1kg)€1.94
Tomato (1kg)€1.47
Banana (1kg)€1.55
Onion (1kg)€1.29
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)€16.57
Restaurants

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant€12.50
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course€55.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)€9.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)€3.50
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)€2.90
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)€2.37
Water (0.33 liter bottle) €1.94
Cappuccino (regular)€2.76
Connectivity

94%

Infrastructure

89/100

Internet speed

92/100

Internet cost

95/100

Pre-paid plan

98/100

Utilities (Monthly)

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment€269.08
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)€0.12
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)€34.47
Sports

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult€31.88
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)€27.58
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat€12.00
Transportation

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)€3.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)€100.00
Gasoline (1 liter)€1.99
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)€23,195.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)€29,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)€3.75
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)€2.05
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)€30.00