Especially high rent increase for students in Leipzig - Chemnitz vs Munich: The Stark Contrast in German Student Rents
Students across Germany are facing a stark contrast in living costs, with Chemnitz offering affordable apartments while cities like Munich and Leipzig see soaring rents. The percentage of students receiving financial aid has also significantly dropped.
In Chemnitz, students can secure a spacious 62-square-meter apartment for the same price as a cramped 15-square-meter apartment in Munich. Here, a model student apartment costs around 300 euros, and a shared room around 270 euros. Dresden and Magdeburg join Chemnitz as the last university locations with rent levels below 10 euros per square meter for small apartments.
The national average rental increase for students is 2.3 percent per year, but Leipzig has witnessed a dramatic rise of over six percent annually in the past three years. This trend is linked to constrained housing supply and increased competition, particularly in student-frequented districts. Chemnitz, however, has seen a more modest increase of 2.3 percent per year, reflecting its status as the city with the lowest rents among university cities.
The proportion of students receiving BAföG (German student finance) has plummeted from 25 to 10 percent over 15 years. Rising student numbers and low construction activity are exacerbating the tense housing market situation in Germany.
While Chemnitz offers affordable student apartments, cities like Munich and Leipzig face severe rent hikes, driven by housing shortages and increased demand. The decreasing BAföG recipients and rising student numbers further intensify the housing market pressure, highlighting the urgent need for affordable student housing solutions.
