Cost of Living in Stuttgart

Category	Cost
Apartment Rentals	Rental prices in Stuttgart vary depending on the location and size of the apartment. On average, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around €800-€1,200 per month, while the same outside the city center costs around €600-€900. A three-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost around €1,500-€2,500 per month, and outside the city center, it can cost around €1,200-€2,000.
Apartment Purchases	The price of buying an apartment in Stuttgart also varies greatly. On average, the price per square meter in the city center is around €4,500-€7,000, while outside the city center, it's around €3,000-€5,000.
Transportation	A monthly public transportation ticket in Stuttgart costs around €80. If you prefer to drive, the average gasoline price is around €1.40 per liter. Taxis start at around €3.50 and increase by around €2 per kilometer.
Groceries	The cost of groceries in Stuttgart is relatively average for Germany. A liter of milk costs around €0.70, a loaf of bread around €1.30, a dozen eggs around €2.00, and a kilogram of local cheese around €10.00. Fruits and vegetables vary by season, but on average, a kilogram of apples costs around €2.00, a kilogram of bananas around €1.50, and a kilogram of tomatoes around €2.50.
Restaurants	A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Stuttgart costs around €10-€15. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around €50-€70. A regular cappuccino costs around €2.50-€3.50.
Utilities	Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, cost around €150-€200 per month. Internet costs around €30-€40 per month.
Private School Tuition	Private school tuition varies greatly depending on the school. On average, annual tuition for preschool costs around €6,000-€10,000. For elementary school, it's around €8,000-€12,000. For middle school, it's around €10,000-€15,000. And for high school, it's around €12,000-€18,000.

Please note that these are average costs and actual costs may vary. It's also important to note that the cost of living in Stuttgart is relatively high compared to other German cities, but it's still lower than in many other major European cities.

Monthly Budget for Retirees in Stuttgart

"Living in Stuttgart can be quite expensive compared to other German cities. The cost of housing is high, especially in the city center where rent for a one-bedroom apartment can be quite steep. Utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, and garbage are also a significant part of the monthly budget. The cost of food in Stuttgart is also relatively high, with groceries and dining out being more expensive than in other parts of Germany. Public transportation, while efficient and widely used, can also add to monthly expenses. Healthcare in Stuttgart is of high quality, but it can be costly if not covered by insurance. Education, particularly international schooling, can also be a significant expense for those with children. Leisure activities such as gym memberships, cinema tickets, and other forms of entertainment are also more expensive in Stuttgart compared to other German cities. Despite the high cost of living, many people choose to live in Stuttgart due to its high standard of living, excellent infrastructure, and abundant job opportunities, particularly in the automotive industry," said one expat living in Stuttgart.

Can I live in Stuttgart on $1,500 a month?

"I've been living in Stuttgart for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $1,500 a month is possible, but it will require some budgeting and sacrifices. The cost of living in Stuttgart is relatively high compared to other German cities. Rent is likely to be your biggest expense. If you want to live alone, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost you around $900 to $1,000 a month. However, if you're willing to live a bit further out, in neighborhoods like Vaihingen or Möhringen, you can find cheaper options, around $700 to $800. These areas are still well-connected to the city center by public transportation. Avoid neighborhoods like Degerloch or Killesberg, they are some of the most expensive areas in Stuttgart. Sharing an apartment could also be a good option to reduce costs. As for utilities, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, you should budget around $200 a month. Internet can cost around $30 a month. Groceries can be relatively cheap if you shop at discount supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl, expect to spend around $200 to $300 a month. Eating out can be expensive, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $15, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant can cost around $70. Public transportation is efficient and widely used in Stuttgart. A monthly pass costs around $80. If you own a car, keep in mind that gasoline is quite expensive. Health insurance is mandatory in Germany, and it can cost around $200 a month, but it depends on your age, income, and health condition. So, to live comfortably on $1,500 a month, you'll need to budget carefully, especially for rent and health insurance. You might also need to cut back on eating out, and consider using public transportation instead of owning a car. But overall, it's definitely possible to live on this budget in Stuttgart," commented an expat living in Stuttgart.

Can I live in Stuttgart on $3,500 a month?

"I've been living in Stuttgart for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $3,000 a month is definitely possible, but it does require some careful budgeting and planning. Stuttgart is one of the more expensive cities in Germany, but it's not as pricey as Munich or Frankfurt. The biggest expense is definitely housing. If you want to live in the city center, in neighborhoods like Stuttgart-Mitte or Stuttgart-West, you're looking at paying around $1,000 to $1,500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. These areas are very desirable because they're close to everything - shops, restaurants, parks, and public transportation. But if you're willing to live a bit further out, in neighborhoods like Bad Cannstatt or Zuffenhausen, you can find cheaper options. I live in Bad Cannstatt and I pay around $800 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. It's a nice, quiet neighborhood with good public transportation links to the city center. After housing, the next biggest expense is probably groceries. I spend around $300 a month on groceries. I shop at discount supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, which are significantly cheaper than the regular supermarkets. Eating out can be expensive, especially in the city center, but there are cheaper options if you know where to look. I usually spend around $200 a month on eating out. Then there's transportation. If you live in the city center and work there too, you might not need a car. Public transportation is very good in Stuttgart and a monthly ticket costs around $80. If you do need a car, keep in mind that gas is quite expensive in Germany. I don't have a car and I find that I don't really need one. Other expenses include utilities (around $200 a month), health insurance (if you're not covered by your employer, this can be around $300 a month), and miscellaneous expenses like gym membership, entertainment, etc. I spend around $200 a month on these. So, all in all, I spend around $2,000 to $2,500 a month. This leaves me with $500 to $1,000 for savings or unexpected expenses. It's not a luxurious lifestyle, but it's comfortable and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I think the key is to be mindful of your spending and to prioritize what's important to you. For me, living in a nice neighborhood and being able to save some money every month is more important than eating out at fancy restaurants or having a car," said one expat living in Stuttgart.

Can I live in Stuttgart on $5,000 a month?

"I've been living in Stuttgart for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $5,000 a month is definitely doable, even with a taste for modern amenities. Stuttgart is a bit more expensive than some other German cities, but it's still quite affordable compared to many places in the US. Rent will be your biggest expense. If you want to live in the city center, in neighborhoods like Stuttgart-Mitte or Stuttgart-West, you'll probably pay around $1,500 to $2,000 a month for a decent one-bedroom apartment. These areas are very convenient, with lots of shops, restaurants, and public transportation options, but they're also the most expensive parts of the city. If you're willing to live a bit further out, you can find cheaper options. Neighborhoods like Bad Cannstatt, Zuffenhausen, or Möhringen are still very nice, but you can find apartments for around $1,000 to $1,500 a month. You'll have to rely on public transportation or a car to get around, but the public transportation system in Stuttgart is excellent, so that's not a big problem. As for other expenses, groceries will probably cost you around $300 a month if you cook at home most of the time. Eating out can be expensive, but there are also plenty of affordable options if you know where to look. Utilities, including internet, will probably cost around $200 a month. Health insurance is mandatory in Germany and will cost you around $400 a month, but it covers almost everything and the healthcare system here is excellent. All in all, you should be able to live quite comfortably on $5,000 a month. You might not be able to save a lot, especially if you like to travel or have expensive hobbies, but you won't have to make any major sacrifices," commented an expat living in Stuttgart.