Relocating to Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)
Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) is home to around 8.0 million people across 45 districts, from Hanover to its quieter rural areas. This guide explains what living here is actually like and lets you drill into the 1 places covered so far for the detailed figures.
What to expect
Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) is home to about 8.0 million people across 45 districts (9 urban and 36 rural). The local economy supports roughly 3.1 million jobs and a population-weighted unemployment rate of 6.1%, below the 6.3% national figure. Income averages €27,542 per resident, about 3% below the German average of €28,453.
Where you land changes daily life. Across the districts covered here, income ranges from €26,814 in Hanover to €26,814 in Hanover. Housing is the main trade-off: net cold rent runs from €7.21/m² in Hanover to €7.21/m² in Hanover. At about 168 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 34,446 residents from migration in a single year. Pick a district below for the full breakdown.
At a glance
Priciest rent€7.21/m²Hanover · highest of the guides here
Highest income€26,814Hanover · per resident
Best fibre coverage68%Hanover · FTTB/H
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.
City guides (1)
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FAQ: relocating to Lower Saxony
Is Lower Saxony expensive to live in?
Incomes average about €27,542 per resident (3% below the national average), and net cold rent ranges from €7.21/m² in Hanover to €7.21/m² in Hanover.
Where in Lower Saxony is the cheapest place to live?
On the 2022 census rents, Hanover has the lowest net cold rent of the districts covered on this site, at about €7.21/m².
What is the job market like in Lower Saxony?
There are roughly 3.1 million jobs at workplaces across the state and a population-weighted unemployment rate of 6.1%, below the 6.3% national figure.
How many districts does Lower Saxony have?
45 in total: 9 urban districts (kreisfreie Städte) and 36 rural districts (Landkreise).
Which Lower Saxony district has the best internet?
For true fibre (FTTB/H), Hanover leads of the districts covered here at about 68% 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 ›