Easiest German cities to move to in 2026

As Germany faces its most severe affordable housing shortage in two decades, alongside a rising cost-of-living crisis, finding a place to live has become increasingly difficult. A new ranking has now identified the easiest German cities to relocate to in 2026.

Erlangen ranked the easiest German city to move to in 2026

According to a ranking compiled by storage company BOXIE24 and shared with IamExpat, Erlangen in Bavaria has emerged as the most newcomer-friendly city in Germany for 2026. The study assessed factors such as average monthly rents, living costs, crime rates, internet speeds, and typical commuting times.

Erlangen, Germany’s 69th largest city, topped the list due to its comparatively low cost of living and affordable housing. Average asking rents for a one-bedroom apartment stand at around €740 per month. The city also benefits from excellent transport links, located close to Nuremberg and Fürth and roughly two and a half hours from Munich.

The local economy is largely driven by Siemens AG and Friedrich-Alexander University, both major international employers. Around 20 percent of Erlangen’s workforce is employed in the medical sector, and the city has set an ambition to become Germany’s leading hub for medical research, production, and services.

Aachen, Hanover and Düsseldorf follow closely

Aachen, located near the borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, secured second place, again due to low living costs and rental prices. The university city is Germany’s 27th largest and enjoys strong transport connections to Cologne and Bonn in one of the country’s most densely populated regions.

Hanover, Germany’s 13th largest city, ranked third. With a population of around 550,000, it hosts six higher education institutions and has a workforce heavily involved in travel and transport industries, including major employers such as Volkswagen, Deutsche Bahn, and TUI. Düsseldorf placed fourth, helped by relatively affordable rents compared with other major German cities.

Top 10 easiest German cities to move to in 2026

According to the ranking, the ten easiest German cities to relocate to in 2026 are:

1. Erlangen

2. Aachen

3. Hanover

4. Düsseldorf

5. Munich

6. Karlsruhe

7. Dresden

8. Mannheim

9. Bonn

10. Mainz