Top 10 German Cities

I wanted to share with you some thoughts about the Top 10 cities in Germany, ranked by population.

If you are looking to move to one of the larger cities, as a lot of expats do, then you should consider these Pros and Cons.

1. Berlin

Pros

• Buzzing culture and diversity
• Plenty of job opportunities
• Hardly any problems speaking English in daily encounters
• International city, some consider it the heart of Europe

Cons

• Living costs are high compared to other German cities & increasing
• High competition for English-speaking roles as this is where most English speakers look first
• Dirtier compared to other large cities in Germany
• Some areas like Neukölln are very densely populated

2. Hamburg

Pros

• One of Europe’s most active harbors, with a mix of modern and classic sections
• Different styles of neighborhoods and plenty of job opportunities (highest increase in the last year in Germany)
• Waterways all over, and excellent transport
• Close to the ocean, beaches, islands in North Germany 

Cons

• Weather most of the year is dark and rainy
• Population is considered reserved and not as outgoing 
• Less English speaking jobs

3. Munich (München)

Pros

• High quality of life
• Very safe
• Beautiful parks and outdoor mountainous activities
• Many multinational companies

Cons

• Can be quite expensive
• Conservative culture may not appeal to everyone
• Dialect can be harder to understand depending on how you learned German before

4. Cologne (Köln)

Pros

• Friendly locals and numerous festivals
• Rich history and traditional architecture
• Media and business hub

Cons

• Not as many international corporations
• High demand for housing
• Traffic is relatively bad

5. Frankfurt

Pros

• International atmosphere and air transport hub
• High salaries and plenty of job opportunities in finance
• Growing cultural scene

Cons

• High cost of living, particularly rent
• Not as diverse of neighborhood types as some of the above cities, yet
• If you are looking for old world Europe, this isn’t the place. Skyscrapers and modern.

6. Stuttgart

Pros

• Strong job market, especially in auto and engineering
• Plenty of green spaces and high standard of living

Cons

• High housing costs
• Less diverse compared to other larger cities
• Harder to find expat social events

7. Düsseldorf

Pros

• Known for fashion and art scene
• Stylish and clean
• Business and financial center

Cons

• Smaller expat community compared to Berlin or Frankfurt
• Higher cost of living relatively
• Not as much “hustle and bustle” if you’re looking for that

8. Dortmund

Pros

• Affordable living with a strong football culture
• Friendly and welcoming locals

Cons

• Quieter nightlife compared to larger cities
• Industrial past is still visible in some areas

9. Essen

Pros

• Rich in history and affordable living
• Strong cultural and arts scene

Cons

• Limited job opportunities
• Public transportation can be less efficient
• Not as international

10. Leipzig

Pros

• Budget-friendly with a growing art scene
• Growing startup culture
• Close to Berlin

Cons

• Infrastructure needs improvement
• Less cosmopolitan than larger cities

Hope you found this useful and learned something new!