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LifeSkills city guide

Francoforte

Germany

Frankfurt, Germany's financial capital and home to the European Central Bank, is the most international and vertical city in the country (the "Mainhattan"). It hosts the large Goethe-Universität (~45,000 students) and a very strong job market between banks, consultancy and the largest German airport; However, the cost of living is among the highest in Germany.

Build your plan for Francoforte Explore neighborhoods
Safety 72/100
Affordability 55/100
Student-friendly 82/100
Nightlife 78/100
Transport 88/100

Last reviewed: Jul 21, 2026. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

Quick answer

Living in Francoforte: what to know first

The essentials before you compare the details. A figure is marked as verified only when it is linked to a source.

Verified

Student budget

1,150-1,650 EUR/month

room + utilities + expenses + transport · excluding semester fees

See details
Under review

Room rent

No locally sourced rent figure is available yet See details
Verified

Getting around

Frankfurt is served by the RMV network: U-Bahn (VGF light rail), trams, buses and S-Bahn, with the airport (FRA) integrated into the ICE network. The Deutschlandticket at 63 EUR covers all German regionals.

See details

Neighborhoods to compare

8 neighborhoods compared

Nordend · Bockenheim · Westend

See details

Universities

5 universities in this guide

Goethe-Universität Frankfurt · Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS) · Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

See details

First steps

Where to start for Francoforte

Follow this order to narrow your options without taking in everything at once.

  1. Shortlist 2–3 neighborhoods

    Compare student life, safety and the real commute to campus.
  2. Check housing and budget

    Use estimates as a guide, then verify the listing, contract and current costs.
  3. Verify your documents

    Check registration, visa or permit requirements before making payments.

Interactive map

Ortsbezirke di Francoforte

Official administrative boundaries: Ortsbezirke. Select an area to view the available data.

Loading geographic boundaries…

Visible Ortsbezirke 0

Verified geographic dataset

Boundary source: Stadt Frankfurt am Main — WFS Stadtgebietsgliederung (Open Data Stadt Frankfurt am Main). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Compare

Neighborhood ranking

Best neighborhoods for students

  1. Nordend 88/100
  2. Bockenheim 88/100
  3. Westend 86/100
  4. Bornheim / Ostend 82/100

Best neighborhoods for nightlife

  1. Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel 84/100
  2. Bornheim / Ostend 82/100
  3. Sachsenhausen 80/100
  4. Nordend 88/100

Best neighborhoods for quiet living

  1. Riedberg 84/100
  2. Westend 86/100
  3. Nordend 88/100
  4. Sachsenhausen 80/100

Best neighborhoods for low rent

  1. Gallus / Europaviertel ~550 EUR
  2. Bockenheim ~580 EUR
  3. Riedberg ~600 EUR
  4. Bornheim / Ostend ~620 EUR

Best neighborhoods for safety

  1. Westend 86/100
  2. Riedberg 84/100
  3. Nordend 88/100
  4. Sachsenhausen 80/100

Neighborhood cards

Where to live in Francoforte

Nordend

Student hub

Nordend: Green, bourgeois and lively: one of the most loved neighbourhoods, among nineteenth-century streets, cafes and parks, with the Frankfurt UAS and excellent connections. Highly sought after

Room
~640 EUR
Studio
~1,000 EUR
Apartment
~1,400 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 80 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 72 Commute 88
Pros
  • student-friendly: 88/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~640 EUR.
  • Useful for Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
student-friendlybalancednear universities

Bockenheim

Student hub

Bockenheim: Student and multicultural west around the former Goethe campus: lively, with markets and clubs, among the most accessible neighborhoods near the center

Room
~580 EUR
Studio
~900 EUR
Apartment
~1,250 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 72 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 70 Commute 86
Pros
  • student-friendly: 88/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~580 EUR.
  • Useful for Goethe-Universität (Campus Bockenheim / Westend near).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
student-friendlynear universitieslow rent

Westend

Safety

Westend: The most elegant and green neighborhood: villas, the Palmengarten and the main campus of the Goethe-Universität (Campus Westend). Prestigious, safe and expensive

Room
~720 EUR
Studio
~1,150 EUR
Apartment
~1,600 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 86 Student-friendly 84 Nightlife 60 Commute 88
Pros
  • transport: 88/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~720 EUR.
  • Useful for Goethe University (Westend Campus).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Quiet score is 76/100; compare activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
safenear universitiespremium

Bornheim / Ostend

Nightlife

Bornheim / Ostend: Lively and on the rise East: Bornheim with the life of Berger Straße and the redeveloped Ostend around the European Central Bank, among the most dynamic districts

Room
~620 EUR
Studio
~980 EUR
Apartment
~1,350 EUR

~ editorial estimate to verify

Safety 74 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 80 Commute 86
Pros
  • transport: 86/100 in this guide.
  • Indicative room rent: ~620 EUR.
  • Useful for Goethe-Universität (reachable).
Cons
  • Check the exact block and building before signing.
  • Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
  • Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
nightlifebalancednear universities

Study

Major universities in Francoforte

Goethe-Universität Frankfurt

General public (~45,000 students, among the largest in Germany)

See on the map
Economy and financeJurisprudenceLetters and social sciencesMedicineNatural sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
WestendNordendBockenheim
Commute from top areas
  • Westend5-10 min (Westend Campus)
  • Bockenheim5-15 min
  • Riedberg5-15 min (Riedberg Campus, science)

Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS)

University of Applied Sciences (~15,000 students)

See on the map
Engineering and computer scienceEconomyArchitectureSocial work and health
Commute from top areas
  • Nordend5-10 min (Nibelungenplatz)
  • Bornheim / Ostend10-20 min
  • Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel10-20 min

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management

Private (leading business school in finance and management)

See on the map
FinanceManagementMBAData science
Commute from top areas
  • Bornheim / Ostend5-15 min (Adickesallee)
  • Nordend5-15 min
  • Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel10-20 min

Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst (HfMDK)

AFAM public (music and performing arts)

See on the map
InstrumentsCompositionI singTheater and dance
Nearest neighborhoods
WestendNordend
Commute from top areas
  • Westend5-10 min
  • Nordend5-15 min
  • Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel10-15 min

Städelschule

State Academy of Fine Arts (among the most prestigious in Europe)

See on the map
Visual artsPaintingSculptureArchitecture
Commute from top areas
  • Sachsenhausen5-10 min (Museumsufer)
  • Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel10-15 min
  • Bockenheim15-25 min

Rent analysis

Average rent by neighborhood

Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.

rent figure with a linked source editorial estimate to verify

Indicative monthly rent by neighborhood in Francoforte
Neighborhood cardsRoomStudioApartment
Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel~720 EUR~1,150 EUR~1,500 EUR
Westend~720 EUR~1,150 EUR~1,600 EUR
Nordend~640 EUR~1,000 EUR~1,400 EUR
Bornheim / Ostend~620 EUR~980 EUR~1,350 EUR
Sachsenhausen~640 EUR~1,000 EUR~1,400 EUR
Bockenheim~580 EUR~900 EUR~1,250 EUR
Gallus / Europaviertel~550 EUR~880 EUR~1,200 EUR
Riedberg~600 EUR~900 EUR~1,250 EUR

Cheapest: Gallus / Europaviertel, Bockenheim, Riedberg

Mid-range: Riedberg, Bornheim / Ostend, Nordend

Premium: Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel, Westend, Nordend

Safety

Safety notes

Safer neighborhoods

Westend, Riedberg, Nordend

Areas to be careful with

the Bahnhofsviertel around the central station, especially at night, some streets of Gallus and surroundings of the station, Alt-Sachsenhausen on crowded weekends

  • Frankfurt is safe overall, but the Bahnhofsviertel around the Hauptbahnhof has a critical reputation at night, despite being heavily redeveloped.
  • Perception changes a lot from street to street: evaluate the single block and the evening commute, not just the name of the neighborhood.
  • Prefer houses close to U/S-Bahn stops that are well served for late returns (night service on weekends).

Student perspective: Students: Bockenheim and Nordend are close to campus and livelier; Riedberg is comfortable with the sciences; Westend is elegant but expensive. For life: Sachsenhausen and Bornheim.

Nightlife

Where to go out

Alt-Sachsenhausen

cider taverns (Apfelwein), pubs, nightlife

The historic tavern district of Apfelwein south of the Main, the traditional heart of the Frankfurt nightlife.

Bahnhofsviertel

trendy bars, international cuisine, clubs

Former infamous neighborhood today among the coolest, with trendy restaurants and bars (Bahnhofsviertelnacht).

Berger Straße (Bornheim)

Kneipen, bistro, aperitifs

The long street of Bornheim full of clubs, pubs and shops, much loved by young people.

Hanauer Landstraße (Ostend)

clubs, discos, industrial spaces

The street of the big clubs and Saturday night discos, in a former industrial area.

Zeil / Hauptwache

bars, rooftops, central venues

The center of shopping and clubs, among rooftop bars overlooking the skyline.

Transport

Getting around Francoforte

Frankfurt is served by the RMV network: U-Bahn (VGF light rail), trams, buses and S-Bahn, with the airport (FRA) integrated into the ICE network. The Deutschlandticket at 63 EUR covers all German regionals.

Metro U-Bahn VGF: 9 lines (partly overground light rail)S-Bahn: rapid network connecting Frankfurt and the Rhein-Main regionVGF trams and buses integrated into the ticket
Tram / busU-Bahn (light rail) and VGF trams cover the city; dense bus network and night service on weekends.
TrainFrankfurt Hauptbahnhof is one of the main ICE hubs in Europe; Frankfurt airport (FRA) is the largest air hub in Germany, with an integrated ICE station serving all of Europe.
Pass info Single urban ticket (zone 5000) 3.80 EURDeutschlandticket 63 EUR/month (with discounted reduced version of Hesse)semester ticket RMV included in many universities
WalkabilityGood in the compact center (Innenstadt, Altstadt, Zeil) and in the inner districts; the rest of the city requires U-Bahn and S-Bahn.
Bike-friendlinessFlat, cycle-friendly city along the Main, with public bike sharing and a growing network of trails.

Transport sources RMV / VGF — Biglietti, tariffe e rete di FrancoforteDeutsche Bahn / Fraport — trasporto ferroviario e aeroportoStadt Frankfurt — mobilità pedonale e ciclabile

Cost of living

Monthly budget estimate

Reference monthly budget 1,150-1,650 EUR/month

room + utilities + expenses + transport · excluding semester fees

Spending items

Food around 250-350 EUR/month (personal spending) pasto economico ~16 EUR
Transport Deutschlandticket 63 EUR/month (with reduced Hessian version) RMV semester ticket included in many universities
Utilities approximately EUR 300 for 85 m² (heating included) sharing 100-150 EUR per person
Coffee / bars cappuccino approximately EUR 3.55 cheap meal around 16 EUR

Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a FrancoforteRMV / VGF — Biglietti e abbonamenti (rete di Francoforte)

Transparency

Francoforte data sources and updates

Check where the data comes from, which fields each source covers and when it was reviewed. One source does not automatically validate other figures.

Page reviewed

Next review by:

6 registered references

6/6 with a check date

Policy: review within 12 months. Status and date apply to the individual reference, not the whole city.

Budget and cost of living 2
Transport 3
Local rent 0

No specific source is registered yet: related figures remain indicative or under review.

Map and boundaries 1

Decision guide

Pros and cons of living in Francoforte

5 strengths

  1. Frankfurt is served by the RMV network: U-Bahn (VGF light rail), trams, buses and S-Bahn, with the airport (FRA) integrated into the ICE network. The Deutschlandticket at 63 EUR covers all German regionals.
  2. Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS), Frankfurt School of Finance & Management: poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
  3. Students: Bockenheim and Nordend are close to campus and livelier; Riedberg is comfortable with the sciences; Westend is elegant but expensive. For life: Sachsenhausen and Bornheim.
  4. Frankfurt is among the most expensive cities in Germany: a financial capital, it attracts professionals and has high rents, but also among the highest salaries in the country.
  5. Innenstadt / Bahnhofsviertel, Westend, Nordend sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.

5 drawbacks

  1. Frankfurt is safe overall, but the Bahnhofsviertel around the Hauptbahnhof has a critical reputation at night, despite being heavily redeveloped.
  2. An entire apartment costs on average ~950-1,000 EUR in the suburbs and ~1,300 EUR in the central areas, according to the Numbeo spread for Frankfurt.
  3. Prices among the highest
  4. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.

FAQ

Questions about moving to Francoforte

Is Frankfurt a good city for students?

Yes: Goethe-Universität is one of the largest in Germany (~45,000 students) and the city is very international, with the Frankfurt School and other institutions. The critical point is the cost: rents are among the highest in the country, so it is best to look for a house well in advance.

Is Frankfurt a good city for workers?

Yes: it is the financial capital of Germany and home to the European Central Bank, with banks, consultancy, trade fairs and the country's largest airport. Many positions are in English. EU/EEA citizens have free access to the labor market; non-EU citizens follow the limits of their residence permit.

Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?

For students: Bockenheim and Nordend (close to campuses), Riedberg for science; for life: Sachsenhausen and Bornheim/Ostend. For those seeking elegance and tranquility: the Westend.

Which neighborhoods are cheapest?

Gallus/Europaviertel, the western area (Bockenheim, Rödelheim) and the outer districts have the lowest rents; the center and the Westend are the most expensive.

Is public transport convenient?

Excellent: U-Bahn, tram, bus and S-Bahn RMV cover city and region, with airport connected by ICE. The Deutschlandticket at 63 EUR/month is valid throughout Germany.

How much budget is needed?

For a student approximately EUR 1,150-1,650 per month including room, utilities, expenses and transport; university fees are minimal (semester contribution). Those who work most often place themselves between 1,800 and 3,000 EUR.

Is Frankfurt an expensive city?

Yes: it is among the most expensive cities in Germany for rent, together with Munich. However, the salaries are high; to save on a house it is better to look at Gallus, the western area and the well-connected outer districts.