There is a reason why Germany is called ‘the Land of the Free’. No matter what your religion, race or gender, you are always welcomed to Germany. The country is home to some of the top universities, world-class companies, vibrant culture and 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

With a population of approximately 3.7 million, Berlin is the largest city in Germany. The city is home to a very diverse group of people from various races and religions. The city’s cost and quality of living are considered one of the best among all the capital cities in Europe. The public transport system is one of the best in the world, extremely accessible and affordable.
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

Source : Themanual
Munich is the third-largest city in Germany, with a population of over 1.5 million. With the city’s excellent public transportation system, good housing and beautiful parks and gardens, there is no denying that Munich is 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

Source : worldtravelguide.net
Frankfurt, also known as Frankfurt am Main, is the fifth-largest city in Germany with an approximate population of 750,000. The city was rebuilt after being destroyed during the Second World War. Today, it 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

Source : Wikimedia
Stuttgart is a vibrant city in the southwest of Germany, known for its industries, trade and academics. Stuttgart 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

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. The city’s numerous canals and rivers have led to it being called the ‘Venice of the North’. You will never find a shortage for anything in the city from shopping centres to elegant dining restaurants to 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
- Deloitte
- PwC
- IBM
- Accenture
Approximate cost of living per month – €1900-€2200
6. Cologne: The Rhineland Cultural Center

Cologne is the greenest city and also the fourth most populous city in the country. Cologne is also known as Germany’s capital of the television industry. The Rhine river divides the city into two halves; the left side being the more vibrant and lively area and the right side being the more traditional and serene area.
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
Conclusion
Germany is one of the top destinations in the world for international citizens to settle in. We have sorted the best cities in Germany to live in and work. This will give you a basic idea of various aspects such as cost of living per month, top employers and tourist attractions; especially if you are an international student planning to do MS in Germany or just someone planning to move to Germany for work.