April 17, 2026, 2:30 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
“Affordable” is a relative term: What one person considers affordable may already be too expensive for another. Additionally, the overall cost of living in European cities can vary significantly. Even within a city, affordability can greatly depend on various factors. The British business magazine “The Economist” has now examined which European cities are particularly affordable for individuals based on selected objective criteria. TRAVELBOOK shows how a German city reached the top, but also addresses significant limitations of the analysis methodology.
Those who are unattached and perhaps fell in love with a city during a trip might consider making it their new home. However, alongside the heart, financial considerations should also play a role in such a decision. It might even be a conscious choice to move to a place where living is as affordable as possible. A recent study by “The Economist” on the most affordable cities for solo living in Europe provides guidance for this.
Details on the Analysis–and Explanation of the “Bradshaw Score”
The focus of the study was on rental costs for one-bedroom apartments, specifically for individuals living alone. It relies on a common rule of thumb for housing cost burden. Housing is considered affordable if rent does not exceed 30 percent of income. The study used current data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union (EU). Based on this, it calculated the average income required in a city to keep rent within the 30 percent threshold.
“The Economist” calculated the so-called “Bradshaw Score” for each European city examined. If the name rings a bell: It belongs to a main character from the U.S. series “Sex and the City”—Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker)—who symbolically represents living alone in a big city; in her case, New York.
To define the Bradshaw Score, analysts compared the determined rents to the average income. For example, a score of 1 indicates that income is sufficient to comfortably pay rent within the 30 percent rule; values below 1 suggest that rent takes up too large a portion of income. The score is intended to quickly convey how financially viable a city is for individuals living alone.
This Is the Most Affordable City in Europe for Solo Living
The study found that the most affordable city in Europe for solo living is a German metropolis—specifically a former capital: Bonn (see large photo above); often referred to as the “World Capital for Sustainability and Climate Protection” due to numerous UN agencies. According to Eurostat data, the relative ratio of average income to one-bedroom rent is still comparatively favorable in the European context, reflected in a Bradshaw Score of 1.33.
Following Bonn is the French city of Lyon, although “The Economist” has not publicly released a specific score for it. Bern, Brussels, and Helsinki complete the top five most affordable cities in Europe. Another German city also made it onto the list.
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The Full List–and an Extra Look at Germany
- Bonn
- Lyon
- Bern
- Brussels
- Helsinki
- Vienna
- Luxembourg
- Berlin
With a Bradshaw Score of 1.01, the German capital Berlin ranks eighth, just making it into the list of the most affordable cities in Europe according to Eurostat data. The average salary here is around 55,000 euros, as “Time Out” reports—the magazine also covered “The Economist” ranking. This results in an average monthly rent of 1,350 euros, which can still just be covered (the Bradshaw Score is 1.01) within the 30 percent rule for solo living.
Before You Pack Your Bags and Move…
A note on Bonn, the—at least in terms of rent—most affordable city in Europe for solo living. In German comparative studies that consider the overall cost of living, Bonn appears significantly more expensive. Analyses by the German Economic Institute (IW), referenced by Radio Bonn, take into account not only rent but also energy, food, and other living expenses. According to these, Bonn is among the more expensive cities in Germany, while the Rhein-Sieg district is somewhat more affordable in a nationwide comparison.
The discrepancy is explained by the different perspectives: “The Economist” evaluates Bonn in the European context specifically for solo living, while regional studies consider the overall costs for the entire population—an aspect that can be quite noticeable in everyday life.