Munich Cost of Living for Students: Budgeting Tips

Munich is one of the most renowned cities in Germany and is the capital of the Free State of Bavaria. This city had hosted the 1972 Summer Olympics. Besides, the city has gained popularity for various other aspects. One of the aspects for which it is popular is higher education. Many international students visit Munich for higher education. Munich has several educational institutes among which the Technical University of Munich is among the top 30 universities in the world. It has been ranked #28 out of 1503 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Budgeting is a major requirement for international students visiting Munich. For this, they need to know about the cost of living. So, here, you will read about the cost of living in Munich followed by budgeting tips.

Cost of Accommodation

You can rent a private apartment or a room in an apartment in Munich. You can get private student accommodation in Munich at as low as €650 per month. There are hundreds of price ranges in private apartments in Munich. You can get the highest-priced apartment accommodation here at €10,012 per month.

You can also rent a homestay in Munich. A homestay can be rented here from €55 to €127 per night.

Food and Grocery Expenses

The price of food is undoubtedly a major expense in any city. So, here you will read the prices of dining out and groceries.

· Cost of Dining Out

Meal in an inexpensive restaurant: €17

Meals for 2 people in a midrange restaurant: €80

McMeal in Mcdonald’s: €11

· Costs of Groceries

Regular milk (1 liter): €1.19

Loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams): €2.14

White rice (1 kg): €2.87

Water (1.5 liter bottle): €0.82

Apples (1 kg): €3

Bananas (1 kg): €1.74

Oranges (1 kg): €2.25

Tomatoes (1 kg): €3.59

Potatoes (1 kg): €1.60

Onions (1 kg): €1.60

Lettuce (1 head): €1.68

Transportation Costs

There are different modes of transport in Munich including buses, trams, U-Bahn (subway), and S-Bahn (commuter trains). There are the tickets available which allow students to travel through all modes of transport. Here are the costs of different types of tickets.

Ticket Type	Description	Cost	Details
Semesterticket	Semester pass for unlimited travel	€286 per semester	Includes €77 solidarity fee + €209 for IsarCard Semester (approx. €48/month)
IsarCard (Monthly)	Monthly pass for Zone M	€59.10 per month	Covers most of central Munich
Single Ticket	One-way ticket for Zone M	€3.70 per ride	For occasional travel
Day Ticket	Unlimited travel within a day in Zone M	€8.20 per day	Suitable for infrequent travel

 You can also get a general monthly pass at €49.

Utility and Internet Costs

For the basic utilities, which include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, you need to pay the total amount of €352.81 per month. The mobile phone monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data is available here at €20.93. You can get 60 Mbps or more internet with unlimited data at €38.23 in Munich.

Entertainment and Leisure Expenses

Entertainment and leisure are also necessary for a youngster’s life. Here are some of the entertainment expenses.

One seat of an international release in cinema: €13

Tennis court rent (1 hour on weekend): €28.17

Monthly fees of a fitness club for an adult: €48.55

Health Insurance Cost

It is also advised to students to buy health insurance to cover their medical expenses. The climate of Munich may be different from the climate of your native place. So, you may need health insurance more than local students. Here are the costs of different types of health insurance policies for students under the age of 23.

Public Health Insurance: Approximately €100 to €120 per month

Private Health Insurance: €30 to €150 per month

Travel Health Insurance: €30 to €70 per month

However, if your age is over 30, you may have to pay €235 for health insurance.

Average Monthly Cost

The average monthly cost varies from student to student. As per an estimate, the average monthly cost of living of a single person in Munich without rent is €1,094.40. If we add rent to this, it increases according to your rent. If you rent an apartment room with the lowest price, which is €650 then it will be €1,744.40. But, if you rent a high-priced accommodation, then it can be 6,425.40.

Tips for Effective Budgeting

Now, let’s have some tips for effective budgeting.

· Search for accommodation early. You will be able to find accommodation within your budget by doing this.

· Track your income and expenses.

· Set clear financial goals.

· Prioritize essential expenses.

· Limit discretionary spending.

· Review and adjust regularly.

· Plan for irregular expenses.