Cologne
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Germany60/100

Erasmus in Cologne

In Cologne (Germany), a one-bedroom flat outside the centre costs about €754 a month, a monthly transport pass €63 and a beer €5 (Numbeo, July 2026).

Gothic cathedral, carnival and Kölsch beer. A Rhine city with a cheerful, student-driven soul.

Cologne at a glance

How this city scores across what matters most for an Erasmus year.

  • Nightlife
    85
  • Connections
    80
  • Safety
    75
  • Academics
    70
  • Vibe
    70
  • Food
    60
  • Affordability
    50
  • Nature
    40
  • Housing
    40
  • Weather
    30

Cost of living in Cologne

€754

1-bed flat / month

€5

Beer

€63

Monthly transport

A one-bedroom flat outside the centre in Cologne costs about €754 a month: 12% below the average of the 56 MyErasmus cities (€859). It is the 24th cheapest of 56.

Source: Numbeo, July 2026. Data retrieved in July 2026: 1-bedroom flat outside the centre, monthly pass and a beer. Reference prices, not an offer; actual rent depends on each case.

Universities in Cologne

  • Academy of Media Arts Cologne
  • Catholic University of Applied Sciences of North Rhine – Westphalia
  • CBS University of Applied Sciences
  • Cologne Institute for Economic Research
  • Cologne University of Music
  • Deutsche Institut für angewandte Pflegeforschung e.V.

Cologne WhatsApp groups 27/28

Opening between May and July — costs, universities and how the groups work, ready now for 27/28

Get ready for your Erasmus in Cologne

(Early access)

The MyErasmus app is coming to Cologne

  • Plans: parties, trips and what’s on in Cologne this week
  • Spark: an AI assistant for your Erasmus questions, any time
  • Rooms in Cologne: from students and verified businesses, filter by price
  • Community: ask people already in Cologne, or the Europe-wide forum

Free. We only email you about the launch.

More about Cologne

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Frequently asked questions

Is Cologne a good city for Erasmus?▾
Cologne scores especially well on Nightlife, Connections, Safety, with an overall score of 60/100. It's a highly rated Erasmus destination among international students.
How expensive is Erasmus in Cologne?▾
Cost of living in Cologne varies by neighbourhood — see the reference prices (Numbeo, July 2026) for a one-bedroom flat outside the centre, a beer and monthly transport below.
How do I meet other Erasmus students in Cologne?▾
Join the Cologne Erasmus WhatsApp communities and ESN events to meet other students from day one.

Scores are indicative, based on aggregated student feedback and public data. Always double-check current prices and details.