Berlin, Germany
In Berlin, $10 covers a döner kebab with a drink, about seven Späti corner-store beers, or a transit ticket plus a currywurst mit Pommes.
Index score 132 (rank 17 of 20) — the full basket totals $37.79, so $10 covers about 26.5% of it.
Share this city
The basket
| Item | Berlin | NYC | vs NYC |
|---|---|---|---|
| White bread (500g) | $2.46 | $4.61 | -47% |
| Milk (1L) | $1.29 | $1.44 | -10% |
| Eggs (12) | $4.32 | $5.90 | -27% |
| Bananas (1kg) | $2.04 | $2.10 | -3% |
| Bottled water (1.5L) | $0.96 | $2.50 | -62% |
| Domestic beer (0.5L, store) | $1.33 | $3.21 | -59% |
| Cappuccino (cafe) | $4.66 | $6.09 | -23% |
| White rice (1kg) | $3.36 | $6.64 | -49% |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | $12.79 | $14.41 | -11% |
| Public transit, one-way ticket | $4.58 | $3.00 | +53% |
| Total | $37.79 | $49.90 |
What $10 actually buys here
- A döner kebab and a soft drink~$8.60
Berlin's signature street food — prices have roughly doubled since 2020.
- About 7 Späti corner-store beers~$9.60
A full evening's Mauerpark picnic round at around €1.20 a bottle.
- A transit ticket plus a Currywurst mit Pommes~$9.70
One BVG AB-zone ticket plus Berlin's classic snack.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a basic grocery basket cost in Berlin?
A grocery basket of staples costs about $37.79 in Berlin — roughly $12 less than New York City's $49.90, so the same shopping list stretches noticeably further.
What can $10 buy in Berlin?
A full döner kebab with a soft drink for about $8.60, or roughly seven bottles of beer from a Späti corner store for a Mauerpark picnic round.
Is Berlin cheaper than New York for everyday expenses?
Yes — Berlin's index score of 132 means a dollar goes roughly 1.3 times as far in Berlin as in New York.
How much is a cappuccino in Berlin?
$4.66 — noticeably less than New York City's $6.09.
What's the cheapest item in Berlin's basket?
Bottled water at just $0.96, while chicken breast is the priciest item at $12.79 per kilo.
Enjoyed this? Share it
Keep exploring
In Mumbai, $10 covers a round-trip ferry to Elephanta Island with cave-temple entry, a full street-food crawl of vada pav and pav bhaji, or a Bollywood movie with popcorn.
In New York City, $10 covers a halal-cart chicken-and-rice platter, three subway or bus rides, or a pay-what-you-wish museum ticket — the baseline this whole index is measured against.
In Sydney, $10 covers a suburban bakery sausage roll and a scoop of gelato with money to spare, or an off-peak Opal ferry ride across the harbour with plenty left over.
Prices are researched estimates (July 2026), not live data — treat them as illustrative, not exact. See the methodology page for details.