Finding Affordable Neighbourhoods in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is one of Germany's most expensive cities, but not every location costs the same. If you want to save on the per-square-metre price, it pays to search specifically in the more affordable location categories of the official Mietspiegel.

Location accounts for more than a 50 percent difference

Frankfurt's 2024 Mietspiegel puts average net cold rent in basic locations at 14.62 euros per square metre, against 22.22 euros in sought-after locations. If you're willing to live a bit further from the centre, choosing location alone can save you several hundred euros a month in cold rent. For the full Mietspiegel breakdown, see our average rent in Frankfurt guide.

What to watch for when searching in affordable locations

Check transport links: neighbourhoods at the edge of the U-Bahn and S-Bahn network are often cheaper, but your commute time goes up
Build year and renovation status: older, unrenovated buildings tend to sit below average, though often with higher heating costs
Noise and traffic exposure: flats on busy roads or near commercial areas tend to be more affordable
Use the Mietspiegel as a reference: compare the asking rent against the Mietspiegel value for that specific location category to spot overpricing

A worked example for a 60-square-metre flat

Basic location (€14.62/sqm): around €877 cold rent
Sought-after location (€22.22/sqm): around €1,333 cold rent

The roughly €456 monthly difference shows just how much location choice moves your budget, more than, say, the choice between a new-build and an older flat in the same location.

The rent brake helps in basic locations too

Frankfurt is covered by the rent brake (Mietpreisbremse), which limits new lettings to no more than 10 percent above the locally typical comparison rent, regardless of location category. If you find a flat in a basic location priced well above the Mietspiegel value for that category, you can raise this cap with the tenants' association or directly with the landlord.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I save in Frankfurt by choosing location carefully?

Between basic (€14.62/sqm) and sought-after locations (€22.22/sqm), the Mietspiegel shows a difference of more than 50 percent, around €456 a month in cold rent for a 60-square-metre flat.

Does the rent brake also apply in Frankfurt's basic locations?

Yes, it applies city-wide and limits new lettings to no more than 10 percent above the locally typical comparison rent for that location category.

How do I know if a flat in a basic location is overpriced?

Compare the asking price per square metre with the Mietspiegel value for basic locations (€14.62/sqm). If the listing sits well above that, it's worth a closer look.