Cologne

Germany Above global median · +150.0% (3-bed)

Photo: Felix / Unsplash

Cologne is one of the pricier markets here. A 3-bedroom home runs about +150.0% versus the global median of $276k.

Median purchase price

1-bedroom $300,000 +114.3% vs global median $140k

2-bedroom $448,000 +127.4% vs global median $197k

3-bedroom $690,000 +150.0% vs global median $276k

Cost of living & rent

Cost of living 71.2 NYC = 100, excl. rent Numbeo Updated Jul 2026 medium confidence

Rent · 1-bed (centre) $1,111/mo Numbeo Updated Jun 2026 medium confidence

Rent · 3-bed (centre) $1,940/mo Numbeo Updated Jun 2026 medium confidence

Price-to-rent ratio 29.6× years of rent to equal purchase Model estimate Updated Jun 2026 medium confidence

Earnings & affordability

Local purchasing power 112.5 NYC = 100 Numbeo Updated Jul 2026 medium confidence

Income tax (effective)

Income tax · low earner 25.0% effective, on ~$30k gross Public web research Updated Jun 2026 medium confidence

Income tax · mid earner 39.0% effective, on ~$75k gross Public web research Updated Jun 2026 medium confidence

Income tax · high earner 44.0% effective, on ~$150k gross Public web research Updated Jun 2026 medium confidence

Quality of life

Air quality (PM2.5) 12.0 µg/m³ annual mean · WHO guideline 5 Public web research Updated Jun 2026 medium confidence

Source & date. Median home-purchase prices in USD, starter dataset v2026.1 (2026-05). Other metrics carry their own source & date on each card above. Directional figures for comparing markets — not a valuation of any specific property. Methodology →

Getting there