Relocating to Hesse (Hessen)

Hesse (Hessen) is home to around 6.3 million people across 26 districts, from Frankfurt to its quieter rural areas. This guide explains what living here is actually like and lets you drill into any district for the detailed figures.

Residents

6.3M

across 26 districts

Districts

5 urban · 21 rural

Unemployment

5.8%

population-weighted

Income / resident

€28,856

average

Net migration

+30,688

residents / yr

Density

297

per km²

Overview

What to expect

Hesse (Hessen) is home to about 6.3 million people across 26 districts (5 urban and 21 rural). The local economy supports roughly 2.8 million jobs and a population-weighted unemployment rate of 5.8%, below the 6.3% national figure. Income averages €28,856 per resident, about 1% above the German average of €28,453.

Where you land changes daily life. Income ranges from €22,823 in Offenbach am Main to €38,714 in Hochtaunuskreis. Housing is the main trade-off: net cold rent runs from €4.81/m² in Werra-Meißner-Kreis to €10.58/m² in Frankfurt. At about 297 people per km² the cities are dense and well connected while many rural districts are sparse enough that a car is closer to essential. The state saw a net gain of 30,688 residents from migration in a single year. Pick a district below for the full breakdown.

Highlights

At a glance

Most affordable rent€4.81/m²Werra-Meißner-Kreis · lowest in state Priciest rent€10.58/m²Frankfurt · highest in state Highest income€38,714Hochtaunuskreis · per resident Best fibre coverage78%Vogelsbergkreis · FTTB/H

Districts

Choose your district

Pick a district for its full breakdown: jobs, income, housing costs, taxes and who lives there. Listed largest to smallest by population.

Cities (5)

Frankfurt756,021 residents Wiesbaden288,850 residents Kassel197,230 residents Darmstadt167,029 residents Offenbach am Main132,746 residents

Rural districts (21)

Rankings

Best districts in Hesse

Not sure where to start? These rankings compare every Hesse district on one measure at a time, each drawn from official data.

Cheapest Places to Live in HesseRanked: where rents are lowest Safest Districts in HesseRanked: the lowest recorded-crime districts Best Places for Families in HesseRanked: the best childcare availability for under-3s

Planning your move to Hesse?

Wherever you settle, a few things are worth arranging before you arrive. Our guides cover the providers that work best for new arrivals.

Open a German bank account Compare internet providers Pick a mobile operator Get a prepaid SIM

Written by Willem

Built from official German statistics · 2026-06-08

FAQ

FAQ: relocating to Hesse

Is Hesse expensive to live in?

Incomes average about €28,856 per resident (1% above the national average), and net cold rent ranges from €4.81/m² in Werra-Meißner-Kreis to €10.58/m² in Frankfurt.

Where in Hesse is the cheapest place to live?

On the 2022 census rents, Werra-Meißner-Kreis has the lowest net cold rent in the state at about €4.81/m².

What is the job market like in Hesse?

There are roughly 2.8 million jobs at workplaces across the state and a population-weighted unemployment rate of 5.8%, below the 6.3% national figure.

How many districts does Hesse have?

26 in total: 5 urban districts (kreisfreie Städte) and 21 rural districts (Landkreise).

Which Hesse district has the best internet?

For true fibre (FTTB/H), Vogelsbergkreis leads at about 78% household coverage.

Source: Regionaldatenbank Deutschland (regionalstatistik.de), Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder, Zensus 2022 and the Breitbandatlas. Population 2024; income 2023; unemployment 2025; rent 2022; broadband end of 2025. · How we built this ›