Relocating to North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen) is home to around 18.0 million people across 53 districts, from Cologne to its quieter rural areas. This guide explains what living here is actually like and lets you drill into the 10 places covered so far for the detailed figures.
What to expect
North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen) is home to about 18.0 million people across 53 districts (23 urban and 30 rural). The local economy supports roughly 7.4 million jobs and a population-weighted unemployment rate of 7.9%, around the 6.3% national figure. Income averages €27,737 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 €21,102 in Duisburg to €32,446 in Düsseldorf. Housing is the main trade-off: net cold rent runs from €5.84/m² in Duisburg to €9.39/m² in Cologne. At about 529 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 83,872 residents from migration in a single year. Pick a district below for the full breakdown.
At a glance
Priciest rent€9.39/m²Cologne · highest of the guides here
Highest income€32,446Düsseldorf · per resident
Best fibre coverage66%Cologne · 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 (10)
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Planning your move to North Rhine-Westphalia?
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FAQ: relocating to North Rhine-Westphalia
Is North Rhine-Westphalia expensive to live in?
Incomes average about €27,737 per resident (3% below the national average), and net cold rent ranges from €5.84/m² in Duisburg to €9.39/m² in Cologne.
Where in North Rhine-Westphalia is the cheapest place to live?
On the 2022 census rents, Duisburg has the lowest net cold rent of the districts covered on this site, at about €5.84/m².
What is the job market like in North Rhine-Westphalia?
There are roughly 7.4 million jobs at workplaces across the state and a population-weighted unemployment rate of 7.9%, around the 6.3% national figure.
How many districts does North Rhine-Westphalia have?
53 in total: 23 urban districts (kreisfreie Städte) and 30 rural districts (Landkreise).
Which North Rhine-Westphalia district has the best internet?
For true fibre (FTTB/H), Cologne leads of the districts covered here at about 66% 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 ›