Which German cities are the most expensive for international students?

For international students deciding where to study in Germany, factors like university programs, reputation and campus life often top the list. But for many, there’s another crucial consideration: cost.

Germany offers tuition-free education to all students, including those from outside the EU. But that doesn't mean student life in Germany comes free. Rent, food and other costs can add up. And they vary dramatically from city to city, according to data published by Der Spiegel. 

Here is what you need to know about choosing the right university town for your budget.

Monthly cost of living for students varies significantly across Germany

Unsurprisingly, Der Spiegel reported, big cities like Munich and Frankfurt are some of the most expensive for students, with average monthly costs far exceeding €1,000 for students who live in a WG, or flatshare. On the more affordable side are smaller cities without large universities in states with lower costs of living.

According to Der Spiegel, the most expensive cities for students living in flatshares are Munich (€1,502 per month), Garching (€1,385), Frankfurt am Main (€1,373) and Berlin (€1,355). Though Garching itself is not a large city, its location right next to Munich makes it an expensive place to live.

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The least expensive for students living in flatshares are Mittweida (€943), Freiberg (€944), Chemnitz (€960) and Selb (€1,005). Mittweida, Freiberg and Chemnitz are all located in Saxony, an eastern state considered one of the least expensive in Germany.

These universities are also smaller, so competition for student housing is less intense than in famous university towns like Heidelberg or Stuttgart.

Finding affordable housing: WG vs. Studentenwohnheim

Der Spiegel reports that rent makes up nearly half of students' living costs on average. But not all living situations are created equal — and they certainly don't all cost the same.

Living with parents or relatives is by far the cheapest option. Across all cities sampled, the total cost of living for students living at home ranges from an average of €571 per month in Höhr-Grenzhausen to €671 per month in Leipzig.

Of course, for most international students living with family isn't possible, which leaves WGs or Studentenwohnheime (student housing). Living off-campus in a WG with one or more roommates is a popular arrangement for students, but it often costs a bit more than living in university housing.

Exactly how much you can save by living in a dormitory varies from city to city, but it's broadly safe to assume that Studentenwohnheime provide the most affordable housing option for students.

READ ALSO: The best German university towns for foreign students

In some cities, living in student housing can be significantly cheaper than living in a flatshare. In Munich, for example, the total cost of living for students staying in dorms is €1,060 on average, compared to €1,502 for those living in a WG.

But it's still possible to find good deals on flatshares in university towns. The listings website wg-gesucht.de is one way to see what's available and connect with potential flatmates.

Der Spiegel's report also highlights some students who found unconventional housing situations that saved them hundreds of euros per month. One student said she lived on a farm near Munich with 10 roommates where the monthly rent was just €370. Another worked part-time at a retirement home in Jena, which came with free housing.