The economic research institute Prognos compared the living conditions in all 401 German districts and cities for ZDF and asked: “Where is life best?” The answer is: In Munich.
The study authors examined 53 indicators in the three categories "Work & Living," "Health & Safety," and "Leisure & Nature," awarding each up to 100 points. They then added the three individual results to a total score of up to 300 points. With a score of 207 points, the state capital of Munich ranks first in Germany.
Following in the ranking of quality of life in Germany are Heidelberg, Starnberg, Potsdam, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Munich district, Miesbach, Oberallgäu, Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, and Ulm. With first and sixth place, the city and state of Munich make it into the top ten twice. Seven of the top ten regions are located in southern Bavaria. Gelsenkirchen takes last place in the overall ranking.
High incomes, expensive housing
Munich's results in the individual categories are quite mixed. In the subcategory of work and living, Munich ranks 21st. On the plus side, it boasts high purchasing power (4th place), positive population growth (5th place), and short commutes (11th place). Munich's well-known weaknesses significantly drag its ranking down: In terms of the ratio of income to property purchase prices, the state capital ranks last in Germany, and second to last in terms of the ratio of income to rent prices. Like other major cities, Munich residents also have to make concessions when it comes to living space per capita: with just 38.1 square meters, Munich ranks 395th in Germany.
Munich has the most hours of sunshine
In the Leisure & Nature category, the state capital received the 17th-highest score. Here, the "northernmost city in Italy" benefits from its location: Over the past 20 years, Munich has experienced an average of 1,756 hours of sunshine per year—more than any other region in Germany.
Munich performs weakest in the Health & Safety category, ranking 25th. A high life expectancy (women: 84.9 years, 3rd place; men: 80.9 years, 7th place) contrasts with a relatively high proportion of elderly people living in poverty. The air is also more polluted, typical of a big city.
