Breaking Down the Rent: 15% of Germans Spend More Than Half Their Income on Housing
Over one-seventh of individuals pay more than half of their monthly earnings towards rent. - Approximately one individual in seven spends over half their monthly income on housing rent.
Got yourself wondering if you're the only one breaking the bank on rent? Well, think again! A recent survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency reveals some startling facts. 15% of folks in Germany are shelling out more than half of their monthly net income on rent each month. Yikes! That's not all - 3% of respondents are actually spending more than 70% of their income on rent.
But don't fret if you're not in that 15%. The survey shows that the majority of people are in the middle range: 47% pay between 20 and 39% of their net income on rent. If you're still feeling smug, remember there's always someone who's doing better—17% of Germans spend between 40 and 49% of their monthly net income on rent.
Spacious Living for Most, Crowded Quarters for Some
Good news for those who are renting: on average, people in Germany are living quite comfortably. A whopping 53% of tenants surveyed said their apartment has more rooms than occupants. Another 37% claim there's one room per resident in their rental property. Only 6% reported having fewer rooms than occupants.
Homeowners seem to be doing even better, with 76% stating they have more rooms than residents, many boasting more than two extra rooms.
However, the disparity is stark. Other studies show that around 11.5% of people in Germany face overcrowded living conditions. Single parents, people at risk of poverty, and individuals with a foreign passport appear to be particularly affected by a shortage of housing space [1]. Residents of cities suffer from a lack of housing space about three times as often as rural dwellers [2].
Enriching the Picture
It's worth mentioning that, according to Eurostat, the average German spends about 24.5% of their income on housing costs, including rent, mortgages, and utilities. This figure is higher than the EU average of 19.2% [5]. In economically disadvantaged regions, residents may spend as much as 43.9% of their income on housing [5]. Additionally, an increase of 8.6 percentage points in the rent index was observed between January 2021 and January 2025, suggesting a significant upward pressure on rents [3].
For the most current, city-specific, or YouGov-reported data, direct inquiry to YouGov or the German Press Agency (dpa) would be necessary.
- Rent
- Survey
- Germany
- Rent Payment
- Market Research Institute YouGov
- German Press Agency (dpa)
[1] Federal Statistical Office (Destatis)[2] European statistics office Eurostat[3] Statista - Rent Index in Germany from 2003 to 2026[5] Eurostat - Housing costs as a percentage of gross disposable household income in Germany from 2006 to 2021
- The community policy should address the issue of personal-finance, particularly the high rent costs, as shown by the survey conducted by the Market Research Institute YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency, revealing that 15% of Germans spend more than half their income on housing.
- While business owners and homeowners might benefit from various vocational training programs to enhance their skills in managing finances, it's crucial to consider the substantial rent burdens faced by many residents in Germany, which could impact their ability to save for personal-finance or invest in a business.
- The general-news surrounding the increasing rent costs in Germany raises concerns about the involvement of politics in establishing policies to address this issue, as presented in the survey and the subsequent reports from the German Press Agency (dpa). Vocational training focused on real-estate finance could contribute to a better understanding of the housing market and aid in devising solutions for affordable housing solutions.
