Cost Disparities in Student Housing Across University Cities
The costs of student accommodations vary significantly across different university cities in Germany, according to a recent analysis conducted by the Moses Mendelssohn Institute in collaboration with the housing platform wg-gesucht.de. This report reveals that while the average price of shared apartments has seen minimal increases, many students still struggle to find affordable housing options within their budget.
The average monthly rent for a shared room in Germany's university towns is currently around EUR493. This represents a slight increase of EUR4 (0.9%) compared to the previous semester and a rise of EUR14 (2.8%) over the past year. In contrast, the average cost for a shared room was only EUR324 before the winter semester of 2013/2014.
Regional variations are stark, with cities like Chemnitz offering rooms for as low as EUR265, while in Munich, students are facing rental prices as high as EUR800. The disparity reflects the challenges students encounter when trying to secure housing that fits within the Bafög housing allowance of EUR380.
Stefan Brauckmann, the project leader of the study, noted that despite observing a stabilization in rental prices in major university cities since the winter semester of 2021/2022, the situation remains dire for students in places like Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg, where typical accommodation costs exceed EUR600.
For instance, rental prices in Munich increased from EUR750 to EUR800, while Hamburg saw a slight rise from EUR600 to EUR610. In Berlin, the average cost remains at EUR650. These figures highlight the persistent challenge students face in finding affordable housing despite minimal increases in overall averages.
Baumann emphasized that while the average costs may suggest a manageable situation, they obscure significant regional disparities. Many smaller cities and regions in Eastern Germany present more favorable conditions for students, allowing them access to affordable accommodations within the Bafög allowance. Cities such as Magdeburg (EUR330), Dresden (EUR350), Hildesheim (EUR365), Erfurt (EUR370), and Kaiserslautern (EUR380) offer more viable options for students.
Unfortunately, in many other urban areas, students will struggle to find rooms priced below EUR500. Only 23 cities in Germany offer typical rooms that align with the Bafög housing allowance. Brauckmann advocates for a dynamic adjustment of the housing allowance to reflect actual market conditions and calls for increased availability of student dormitory spaces.
The study analyzed a total of 8,800 listings on wg-gesucht.de, focusing on university locations with at least 5,000 enrolled students. In total, 88 cities were evaluated, which account for approximately 90.5% of Germany's 2.7 million student population. The analysis specifically looked at shared accommodations with two or three residents.