With inflation still hitting record highs across Europe, understanding where families can afford to live is more important than ever. Zurich, Switzerland, emerges as the most affordable European city for middle-class families, with €5.2K of disposable income monthly.
Key Finding
Scandinavian capitals stand out for affordability, with each showing some of the highest leftover income in Europe. German cities are also cheap to live in, as families keep a good amount of their pay after bills.
Casinova set out to find where in Europe life feels most affordable for the average middle-class family. By defining a middle-class household as two working adults with one child, and calculating all major expenses, including rent, transport, childcare, and daily living costs, cities were ranked purely by leftover income. This gives a clear view of where families can live comfortably without feeling squeezed.
| City | Avg. Monthly Income (2 people) | Cost of Living (2 people monthly) | Childcare | Monthly Transport Pass (2 people) | Leftover Income | Safety Index | # of Children Activities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich, Switzerland | €13,583.14 | €3,206.32 | €2,984.58 | €186.20 | €5,238.47 | 76.8 | 62 |
| Geneva, Switzerland | €13,255.84 | €3,161.66 | €2,996.40 | €149.82 | €5,162.55 | 69.5 | 60 |
| Frankfurt, Germany | €7,524.58 | €2,156.38 | €527.93 | €115.98 | €3,690.43 | 54.7 | 47 |
| Copenhagen, Denmark | €7,940.60 | €2,356.86 | €534.39 | €207.72 | €3,587.33 | 74.2 | 97 |
| Nuremberg, Germany | €6,236.60 | €2,010.06 | €468.61 | €115.98 | €3,052.49 | 64.7 | 43 |
| Oslo, Norway | €6,948.68 | €2,431.90 | €222.34 | €131.40 | €2,965.09 | 65.8 | 90 |
| Berlin, Germany | €6,087.46 | €2,016.50 | €167.98 | €117.98 | €2,846.75 | 55.4 | 200 |
| Helsinki, Finland | €5,877.36 | €1,985.44 | €357.95 | €143.98 | €2,568.34 | 74.6 | 93 |
| Stockholm, Sweden | €5,893.24 | €2,163.68 | €136.37 | €188.30 | €2,545.49 | 53.5 | 91 |
| Vienna, Austria | €5,755.66 | €2,142.80 | €283.85 | €101.98 | €2,450.56 | 71.9 | 167 |
Top 10 Most Affordable Cities for Families
🇨🇭 Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich, Switzerland, tops the list as the most affordable European city for middle-class families. Switzerland has the highest income in the analysis at €13.6K, and with the relative cost of living, Swiss residents are left with €5.2K at the end of each month, the highest in the ranking.
🇨🇭 Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland, comes in close second, offering a very similar profile to its neighbor. The second Swiss city in this ranking, Geneva, also benefits from a high income, second only to its Swiss counterpart. Having €5.1K after living expenses, and one of the highest safety scores, Geneva is a secure and affordable place for middle-class families.
🇩🇪 Frankfurt, Germany
Middle-class families in Frankfurt, Germany, enjoy €3.7K at the end of each month. Frankfurt has one of the lowest costs of living at just €2.5K, and this level of affordability and leftover income is a sign of high efficiency between earnings and core spending, ensuring affordability. For families, it means a more stable monthly routine with room to grow.
🇩🇰 Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark, ranks fourth, delivering a solid income-to-cost performance. Families retain €3.6K of their earnings, and with one of the most childcare activities, Copenhagen is an attractive option for middle-class earners seeking value in a European capital while ensuring the development of their children.
🇩🇪 Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg, Germany, rounds out the top five as the most cost-efficient European city for middle-class families. Nuremberg acts as the second German city in the ranking, resembling Frankfurt. Similarly, it has one of the lowest costs of living of just €2K, and in the end offers its population €3.1K after each month.
🇳🇴 Oslo, Norway
Oslo, Norway, holds sixth place as households typically get to keep 42% of their income. Oslo, like all in the list, offers some of the highest incomes in the world, and residents keep €2.9K of that. Also offering some of the best scores of safety and activities for children, Oslo is a city that stands out for its affordability and family inclusion.
🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany
Berlin, Germany, ranks seventh, and once again represents the nation of Germany as the third city on this list. Households here retain €2.8K after monthly expenses. Berlin also offers the most children’s activities, showcasing that not only is it affordable, but it’s also tailored for middle-class families.
🇫🇮 Helsinki, Finland
Average middle-class families in Helsinki, Finland, report €2.6K leftover after each month, ranking it eighth. Helsinki has the lowest costs of living at just €1.9K for two people and is one of the safest cities on the list. It quietly proves itself as a dependable city for middle-class security, both financially and physically.
🇸🇪 Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden, comes in ninth as an affordable city for middle-class European families. Stockholm is the third Scandinavian city, and similar to its neighbours, families in the capital see a high surplus of €2.5K. Sweden makes for an affordable place for families due to its low cost of childcare, costing parents €136, as well as its high variety of children’s activities.
🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria
Vienna, Austria, finishes off the list in tenth place. Vienna’s average middle-class household is left with €2.4K after covering living expenses. With a similar profile to Stockholm, families see both a high leftover amount as well as a low cost of living. Vienna has the lowest cost of transportation, of just €100, making it a great option for middle class families.
The Swiss Advantage
Swiss cities dominate the top rankings not just because of high salaries, but due to the optimal balance between income and living costs, allowing families to maintain substantial savings while enjoying high quality of life.