The Best Cities in Germany to Live and Work

Looking to move to Germany? Check out our guide to the best cities in Germany for international citizens to live and work in. Discover top employers, cultural attractions, and more in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. Perfect for anyone planning to study MS in Germany or work abroad.

The Best Cities in Germany to Live and Work
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Apr 17, 2023 07:15 AM
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Germany is known as 'the Land of the Free' for good reason. No matter what your religion, race, or gender, you are always welcome in Germany. The country boasts top universities, world-class companies, a vibrant culture, an efficient transportation system, and more. In this blog, we will discuss some of the best cities in Germany to live and work in.
Germany is a developed nation which works on the principles of welfare and hence its citizens are always taken care of. The country has always been at the helm of significant technological advancement and job opportunities. These are a few reasons that millions of students apply for a Masters in Germany every year. To learn more about studying in Germany, read:

The Best Cities in Germany to Live and Work

Let us take a look at some of the best cities in Germany that provide a happy environment to live and work.

1. Berlin: The Modern Capital Steeped in History

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Berlin, with a population of approximately 3.7 million, is the largest city in Germany. It is home to a diverse group of people from various races and religions. The city has been ranked highly for both cost and quality of living, among all the capital cities in Europe. Furthermore, its public transport system is one of the best in the world, providing easy and affordable access for residents and visitors alike.
Berlin hosts some of the best universities in the world. As more and more companies invest in establishing their base in Berlin, it is considered an excellent place for young graduates and job seekers to gain employment. Although German is the official language, you will find considerable people with a basic knowledge of English.
Berlin contains three world heritage sites, including the Museum Island. The Brandenburg Gate is one of the defining landmarks of Berlin. Thriving nightlife and extravagant shopping centres such as the Mall of Berlin and the Potsdamer Platz Arkaden means that whether you are a student or a working professional, there is something for everyone.

Prestigious Universities in Berlin

  • Humboldt University (HU Berlin)
  • Free University of Berlin
  • Technical University Berlin (TU Berlin)
  • University of the Arts (UdK)
  • European School of Management and Technology (ESMT Berlin)

Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions

  • Brandenburg Gate
  • Charlottenburg Palace
  • Gendarmenmarkt
  • Berlin Television Tower (Fernsehturm)
  • The Berlin Wall Memorial and Documentation Centre

Top employers in Berlin

  • SAP
  • Siemens
  • Amazon
  • HubSpot
  • Deutsche Bank
Approximate cost of living per month – €1800-€2500

2. Munich: The Home of BMW, Beer and Bayern

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Source : Themanual
Munich is the third-largest city in Germany, with a population of over 1.5 million. Its excellent public transportation system, good housing, and beautiful parks and gardens make it one of the best cities to live and work in Germany.
However, what draws younger people to Munich is the quality of education and opportunities to work for some of the world’s biggest companies. The city is home to some of the best universities in the world like TU Munich and the University of Munich and is the home of corporate giants such as BMW, Siemens and Allianz.
The Marienplatz is the heart of the city and offers an insight into what Munich is all about. Munich provides a lively football culture for football enthusiasts, with the Allianz Arena hosting Bayern Munich, one of the most successful football clubs in Europe, and TSV 1860 Munich, one of the oldest professional football clubs in Germany. Munich also hosts the famous Oktoberfest, the Bavarian beer festival. Young professionals and students may find a lot to do while studying at world-class universities in Munich.

Prestigious Universities in Munich

  • Technical University of Munich (TUM)
  • Ludwig Maximilian University Munich (LMU)

Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions

  • Marienplatz
  • Nymphenburg Palace
  • Munich Residenz
  • Allianz Arena
  • BMW Welt

Top employers in Munich :

  • PUMA
  • Microsoft
  • Airbus
  • BMW
  • Intel Corporation
Approximate cost of living per month – €2,000-€2500

3. Frankfurt: The Culture and Business Hub

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Source : worldtravelguide.net
Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main, is the fifth-largest city in Germany with a population of approximately 750,000. The city was rebuilt after being destroyed during the Second World War and today is one of Germany's most important cities, especially in terms of economic growth. Frankfurt is also one of the most diverse cities in both Germany and Europe.
Frankfurt is a hot job market not only because of the vast number of job opportunities but also because of the high salaries. Major companies and financial institutions such as the European Central Bank and the Deutsche Bank are headquartered here.Frankfurt also has some of the best educational institutes in the world.
The city hosts some of the world’s largest cultural fairs. There is no scarcity of restaurants, entertainment hubs and sports clubs, meaning you will never be bored in the city. It is one of the best cities in Germany to live and work in.

Prestigious Universities in Frankfurt

  • Goethe University
  • Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
  • Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences

Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions

  • Stadel Museum
  • Goethe House
  • Palmengarten
  • Frankfurt Cathedral
  • Romerberg

Top employers in Frankfurt

  • Procter & Gamble
  • Deloitte
  • Accenture
  • PwC
  • Deutsche Bahn
Approximate cost of living per month – €2,000-€2500

4. Stuttgart: Where Things are Made

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Source : Wikimedia
Stuttgart is a vibrant city located in the southwest of Germany, renowned for its industries, trade, and academics. It is the perfect destination for anyone, young or old, and one of Germany's best cities to live in.
The city is full of shops, cafes, restaurants and beautiful parks. You will find both a quiet place to relax by yourself and also a place to celebrate with others during weekends. The city’s wine centres and the Mercedes Benz Museum and festivals are some of the must-visit tourist attractions.
As several world-class companies like Mercedes, IBM and Porsche and top universities are located in Stuttgart, hundreds of people come to Stuttgart every year for the purpose of work, education, and living. According to the latest update, Stuttgart has an overall population of 634,830, making it the sixth-largest city in Germany.

Prestigious Universities in Stuttgart

  • University of Stuttgart
  • University of Hohenheim
  • Stuttgart Technology University of Applied Sciences

Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions

  • Mercedes-Benz Museum
  • Schlossplatz
  • Porsche Museum
  • Schillerplatz
  • Ludwigsburg Residential Palace

Top employers in Stuttgart

  • IBM
  • Robert Bosch
  • Deloitte
  • Capgemini
  • Amazon
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Porsche
Approximate cost of living per month – €1800-€2200

5. Hamburg: The Port with a Character

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Source : Lonely Planet
Hamburg, also known as the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is the second-largest city in Germany and the seventh-largest in the European Union, with a population of nearly 2.5 million. Its numerous canals and rivers have led to it being called the 'Venice of the North'. The city offers a wide range of amenities, including shopping centers, elegant dining restaurants, and film festivals.
Some of the top maritime, aerospace, media and technology companies are located in Hamburg. The city’s extensive public and private transportation system allow one to navigate anywhere. Hamburg has a lively cultural scene, the Reeperbahn being a fine example of the same. The mix of work and modern culture makes Hamburg one of the best cities in Germany work and live in.

Prestigious Universities in Hamburg

  • University of Hamburg
  • Hamburg University of Technology
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
  • European University of Applied Sciences in Hamburg

Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions

  • Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
  • Elbe Tunnel
  • Miniatur Wunderland
  • Planten un Blomen
  • Alsterarkaden

Top employers in Hamburg

  • Google
  • Deloitte
  • PwC
  • IBM
  • Accenture
Approximate cost of living per month – €1900-€2200

6. Cologne: The Rhineland Cultural Center

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Cologne is not only the fourth most populous city in Germany, but also the greenest. It's known as the country's capital of the television industry. The Rhine river splits the city into two halves, with the left side being more vibrant and lively, and the right side being more traditional and serene.
However, what attracts international students to Cologne is the world-class educational institutes, companies, the insurance industry and the TV industry. Although full of festivals, events, nightclubs and restaurants, you will always have a small-town feel in Cologne. In addition to this, Cologne is just 30 minutes away from Bonn- a popular job market in Germany.

Prestigious Universities in Cologne

  • University of Cologne
  • Cologne University of Applied Sciences
  • German Sport University Cologne

Prominent Landmarks and Cultural Attractions

  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Old Market
  • Hohenzollern Bridge
  • Phantasialand
  • Museum Ludwig

Top employers in Cologne

  • KPMG
  • Bayer
  • IBM
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Microsoft
Approximate cost of living per month – €1,900-€2200

Other Notable Cities to Work and Live in Germany

  • Heidelberg
  • Dresden
  • Düsseldorf
  • Nuremberg
  • Freiburg
  • Hamburg
These cities also offer great job opportunities, cultural attractions, and a high quality of life. With a diverse range of industries, from technology to finance to healthcare, there is something for everyone in these cities.

Conclusion

Germany is one of the top destinations for international citizens looking to settle abroad. We have compiled a list of the best cities in Germany for living and working. This list provides information on various aspects such as the cost of living per month, top employers, and tourist attractions. It is especially useful for international students planning to pursue an MS in Germany or for anyone planning to move to Germany for work.

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