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Altenburg
Thuringia, Germany
#1 in Germany
76
Overall Score
VS
Amberg
Bavaria, Germany
#3 in Germany
72
Overall Score
Altenburg scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Altenburg
Amberg
Livability
84
74
Affordability
75
100
Business
72
65
Growth
65
60

Cost of Living

Amberg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 18% higher compared to Altenburg. Housing costs are a major driver: Altenburg's average rent is 67% higher than Amberg's.
MetricAltenburgAmbergDiff
Average Rent
$1,050$630+67%
Groceries
$565$452+25%
Utilities
$126$290-57%
Transport
$82$75+9%
Healthcare
$0$100-100%
Monthly Total
$1,823$1,547+18%
Cost Index
9060out of 100

Salary & Income

Amberg offers 21% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Amberg delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Altenburg is estimated at $24,534 vs $58,000 in Amberg.
MetricAltenburgAmberg
Average Salary
$47,124$60,000
Salary Needed
$24,534$58,000
Purchasing Power
52,360 idx100,000 idx
Household Income
$45,845$70,000

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricAltenburgAmberg
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
69.00%75.00%

Commute & Transport

Altenburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Amberg. Altenburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Altenburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricAltenburgAmberg
Commute Time
min20 min
Transit Score
75.0/1065.0/10
Walkability
77.0/1075.0/10
Traffic Index
30.00
Car Dependency
MediumMedium

Economy & Demographics

Amberg is the larger city — approximately 0.7x the population of Altenburg. From a growth perspective, Amberg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Amberg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricAltenburgAmberg
Population
31,58043,241
Pop. Growth
0.58%0.80%
Median Age
44.0
Unemployment
6.20%4.00%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Altenburg
Advantages
Altenburg boasts a very high quality-of-life score of 84/100, with strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness, and infrastructure.
The city is highly safe, ranking in the upper tier with a safety index of 83/100, characterized by strong personal safety and low night-time crime.
Altenburg is considered very family-friendly, supported by good education access, safety, parks, and healthcare.
The cost of living is manageable, with a single resident spending approximately $1,574 per month excluding rent, which is around the average for Germany.
The city offers excellent walkability (77/100) and cycling (83/100) scores, along with a functional public transport network.
Drawbacks
Altenburg has a smaller social bubble and a more limited international scene compared to major metropolitan hubs.
Local integration for non-German speakers may be more demanding due to a lower density of English speakers.
The city experienced a significant population decline of nearly 40% since 1988, indicating historical economic challenges.
Specific job growth rates and new business growth rates for Altenburg are not readily available, making economic growth assessment challenging.
The median age is not precisely available, but the age distribution suggests a notable proportion of older residents, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
Amberg
Advantages
Amberg offers a significantly lower cost of living compared to larger German cities like Frankfurt, particularly in housing and daily expenses.
The city boasts a well-preserved medieval old town and a rich historical character, providing a unique and attractive living environment.
Amberg has a high quality of life, supported by a safe environment and access to both urban amenities and natural landscapes.
The public transportation system, including regional trains and buses, provides efficient mobility within the city and to surrounding areas.
The presence of Klinikum St. Marien Amberg and other medical facilities ensures high-quality healthcare access for residents.
Drawbacks
Specific data on job growth rates and new business growth for Amberg is limited, making it challenging to assess dynamic economic expansion.
While generally safe, the safety index of 49 suggests a moderate level of perceived safety, which might be a consideration for some.
The median age of 44 years indicates a relatively older population, which might mean a less vibrant youth culture compared to larger university towns.
The city's conservative and close-knit community might present challenges for international residents seeking to integrate quickly.
Compared to major metropolitan areas, Amberg may offer fewer diverse entertainment and nightlife options.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Altenburg
#1
Thuringia, Germany
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$47,124
Cost Index
90
Commute
min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
77.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
84
Business
72
View Full Profile
Amberg
#3
Bavaria, Germany
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$630
Avg Salary
$60,000
Cost Index
60
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
75.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
74
Business
65
View Full Profile

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