Skyline of Bremen
Cost of Living: 95 569,000

Bremen, Germany

A historic Hanseatic city with a fairy-tale charm, home to the Bremen Town Musicians, a bustling port, and a proud maritime heritage.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 95

Below Average vs Germany Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income €41,000

Household income

Unemployment 7.5%

Job market health

Bremen vs Germany Average

Cost of Living
Bremen: 95
Germany Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bremen: 100
Germany Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Bremen: 42%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 42.0%
  • Sales Tax: 19.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: €41,000
  • Unemployment: 7.5%
  • Population: 569,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 170/year
  • Summer High: 72°F
  • Winter Low: 30°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: €320,000
  • 1BR Rent: €800/mo

Cost of Living

Bremen's cost of living index is 95 (Germany average = 100).

CategoryBremenNational AverageDifference
Overall95100-5.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: Destatis / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price€320,000
Median Rent (1BR)€800/mo
Median Rent (2BR)€1,000/mo
Price per Sq Ft€213

Data source: Immowelt / ImmobilienScout24, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bremen:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity€120
Heating & Cooling€119Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water€40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)€40Broadband average
Garbage / Trash€25Private service
Total Utilities€344Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Bundesnetzagentur, E.ON, RWE 2025

Remote Work Score

Bremen scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
95
Rent
€800
Sunny Days
170
Tax
42%
Unemployment
7.5%
Climate
72°F / 30°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
569,000
Internet Speed
120 Mbps

Climate

Bremen has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January50°F30°F2.5"
April57°F45°F2.8"
July72°F47°F1.5"
October52°F48°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Bremen faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding along Rhine, Elbe, and Danube.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Hilly regions with landslides.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Germany experiences occasional tornadoes.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Germany experiences winter storms.

Avalanche Moderate Risk

Alpine region (Bavaria) with avalanches.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 42%
  • Sales Tax: 19%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 7.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Bremen per 100,000 residents:

242.1
Violent Crime
1,803.5
Property Crime
0.8
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Academic Year August/September to June/July
Term System Semester — Herbst (Aug-Jan), Frühling (Feb-Jul)
Summer Break June to August (6 weeks, staggered by state)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Easter holiday in March/April (2 weeks)

School hours vary by state (Bundesland). Many primary schools end at lunchtime. Afternoon care (Ganztagsschule) is expanding.

Universities & Higher Education

4
Universities
#557
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Bremen

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bremen, Germany?

The cost of living index in Bremen is 95, which is Lower the Germany national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bremen?

The median home price in Bremen is €320,000. The housing index is 100.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bremen is approximately €800/mo.

Does Bremen, HB have income tax?

Bremen is in HB, which has an income tax rate of 42%.

What is the climate like in Bremen?

Bremen enjoys approximately 170 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 72°F, while winter lows can drop to around 30°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Destatis / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Immowelt / ImmobilienScout24, 2026
  • Income & Employment: Destatis Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Bundesnetzagentur, E.ON, RWE 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.