Dorm, Shared Flat, or Own Apartment: Student Rent Compared

Students in Germany essentially have three housing options, and the cost gap between them is substantial. If you have the choice, it's worth knowing the actual numbers rather than relying on anecdotal impressions alone.

The student dorm: the cheapest official option

According to the Deutsches Studierendenwerk's current statistical overview, the average rent for a Studierendenwerk dorm room as of 31 December 2023 was 305.52 euros a month, including all Nebenkosten. That makes the publicly subsidized dorm by far the cheapest of the three options, though also the one with the longest waiting lists in sought-after university towns.

The WG room: the middle ground

A room in a shared flat (WG) sits between a dorm and a private apartment in price, with sometimes large differences depending on the city. Market surveys of the shared-flat market show national averages well above dorm prices, with particularly high figures in high-demand cities such as Munich. The exact amount depends heavily on whether the room is in a central inner-city location or an outer district.

The private apartment: most expensive, but independent

A private apartment offers the most privacy but is also the most expensive option, especially if lived in alone. Since students typically rent small apartments, which carry a higher price per square metre, Kaltmiete often ends up disproportionately high relative to floor space, an effect that shows up in practically every German city.

How the BAföG housing allowance changes the math

Since the 2024 BAföG reform, students who don't live with their parents receive a housing allowance of 380 euros a month under Section 13(2) of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), on top of the basic support rate. For dorm residents, this allowance fully covers the average rent of 305.52 euros, with some room to spare. For a WG room or a private apartment, the fixed allowance falls short in many cities, so the gap has to be covered from other income, such as a part-time job or support from parents.

Which option makes sense when

For first-year students without local knowledge, the dorm is often the most pragmatic first choice, thanks to its fixed price and built-in social network, provided a spot is available. Students staying longer in a city and wanting more quiet to study often move later into a WG or, budget permitting, a private apartment. For the wider national picture on what renters pay, see our national rent overview, and for how your rent compares to your income, our rent-to-income data guide.

Conclusion

Between a student dorm, a WG room, and a private apartment, Germany has real cost differences, often several hundred euros a month. The 380-euro BAföG housing allowance largely covers the cheapest option, but a funding gap remains in most cities for the pricier housing types.