Stuttgart City Data 2026: Population, Economy & Cost of Living
Stuttgart — Germany’s automotive capital (Autohauptstadt). Complete city data 2026.
Quick Overview
- Population: 605,700 (2025, city proper), metro area 5.3 million
- GDP per capita: €84,000 — second highest in Germany after Frankfurt
- Key employers: Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch, IBM Germany
- Average rent (cold): €15.80/m²
- Unemployment: 4.1% — one of Germany’s lowest
- Green space: 60% of city area is forest, parks, or vineyards
Demographics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population (city proper, Dec 2025) | 605,663 |
| Stuttgart metro region | 5.3 million |
| Foreign national share | 28.1% |
| Share with migration background | approx. 48% |
| Average age | 42 years |
| Population trend | Slightly declining (−3,671 in 2025) |
| Births (2025) | 5,327 |
| Deaths (2025) | 5,746 |
| Students (Univ. of Stuttgart, WS 2025/26) | 20,536 |
| Stuttgart Airport passengers (2025) | 9.57 million |
| Daily inbound commuters | approx. 235,000 |
Source: City of Stuttgart — Stuttgart in Figures, University of Stuttgart — Figures & Facts, Stuttgart Airport Newsroom. Data verified 2026-05-07.
Economy — The Automotive Capital Under Pressure
| Sector | Employment Share | Notable Companies |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive | 25% | Mercedes-Benz (HQ), Porsche (HQ), Bosch (HQ) |
| Engineering | 18% | Mahle, Festo, Trumpf |
| IT/Tech | 12% | IBM Germany, Vector, SAP (nearby) |
| Financial Services | 8% | LBBW, Allianz Lebensversicherung |
Around 240,000 jobs in the Stuttgart region depend directly or indirectly on the automotive industry. The sector is undergoing a fundamental structural shift: nationwide, about 50,000 automotive jobs were cut in 2025, with revenue falling nearly 2%. Baden-Württemberg’s GDP shrank for the third consecutive year (−0.6% in 2025). As the epicenter of Germany’s automotive industry, Stuttgart feels this pressure most acutely — the reliance on Mercedes, Porsche, and Bosch creates vulnerability, yet the city also offers Europe’s densest network of engineering talent and suppliers.
Source: EY — Germany’s Automotive Sector March 2026, Statistical Office BW — Economic Output 2025. Data verified 2026-05-07.
Rental Prices (Mietpreise)
| District | Cold Rent/m² | 70m² Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart-West | €18.90 | €1,323 |
| Stuttgart-Mitte | €17.50 | €1,225 |
| Bad Cannstatt | €14.60 | €1,022 |
| Feuerbach | €13.80 | €966 |
| Zuffenhausen | €12.90 | €903 |
Rents in Stuttgart continue to rise: in the central district (Mitte), the average cold rent reached €16.10/m² in Q1 2026, up from €15.48/m² in Q1 2025. Eastern districts and higher-elevation areas saw increases of roughly 3.6% year-over-year. Statewide, Stuttgart sits slightly above the average for Baden-Württemberg’s major cities.
Source: Immoscout24 — Stuttgart Rent Index, Immowelt — Stuttgart Rental Prices May 2026. Data verified 2026-05-07.
Cost of Living in Detail
According to Numbeo (as of March 2026), the cost of living in Stuttgart sits at a reasonable level compared to other major German cities:
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly costs (family of four, excl. rent) | approx. €3,522 |
| Monthly costs (single person, excl. rent) | approx. €1,007 |
| Mid-range restaurant (3-course meal) | €14.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | €3.60 |
| Monthly transit pass | €64.00 |
| Fitness club (monthly) | approx. €35.00 |
Compared to Munich, Stuttgart is roughly 10–15% cheaper, while salaries are only slightly lower. This makes Stuttgart one of the most attractive cities for skilled professionals looking to combine a high income with moderate living costs.
Source: Numbeo — Cost of Living in Stuttgart. Data verified 2026-05-07.
Education & Universities
The Stuttgart region has one of the densest higher education landscapes in Germany. Beyond the University of Stuttgart (approx. 20,500 students), the city is home to the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW Stuttgart), the Stuttgart Media University (HdM), and numerous research institutes such as the Fraunhofer IAO.
| Institution | Students (approx.) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| University of Stuttgart | 20,536 | Engineering, Natural Sciences |
| DHBW Stuttgart | approx. 6,000 | Dual study programs (work-integrated) |
| Stuttgart Media University (HdM) | approx. 4,500 | Media, Printing, Information Science |
The University of Stuttgart is a TU9 member and excels in simulation sciences, energy engineering, and aerospace research.
Source: University of Stuttgart — Student Statistics WS 2025/26, DHBW Stuttgart — Facts & Figures 2024/25.
Public Transit (VVS)
The Stuttgart Transport and Tariff Association (VVS) serves the city and entire region with S-Bahn (suburban rail), city trains, and buses. From September 2026, ticket prices will rise by approximately 6%. The Deutschland-Ticket (€58/month, 2026 rate) is valid across the entire VVS network.
| Ticket Type | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Single trip (adult, 1 zone) | approx. €3.10 |
| Day pass (1 person, 1 zone) | approx. €7.50 |
| Monthly pass (1 zone) | approx. €83.00 |
| Deutschland-Ticket | €58.00 |
Stuttgart’s historic “Käpsele” — a funicular railway dating back to 1929 — connects Heslach with the forest cemetery and is one of Germany’s oldest operational funiculars. The city is also expanding its light rail network (U13 and U14) and plans barrier-free upgrades for all stations by 2030.
Source: VVS — Tickets & Prices, Verband Region Stuttgart — VVS Tariff Adjustment 2026. Data verified 2026-05-07.
Safety — Crime Statistics 2025
Stuttgart recorded 53,894 criminal offenses in 2025 — a slight decrease for the second consecutive year. The clearance rate reached 66.9% (state average: 62.5%). The Numbeo Safety Index for Stuttgart stands at 66.12, classified as “high.”
Notably, the city’s weapon and knife ban zone in the downtown area has proven highly effective: serious knife crimes in the zone nearly halved, dropping to 46 cases in 2025. Safety during daylight is rated “high” by residents (78.25/100).
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Total offenses (2025) | 53,894 |
| Clearance rate | 66.9% |
| Numbeo Crime Index | 33.88 (low) |
| Numbeo Safety Index | 66.12 (high) |
| Safety walking alone — daylight (survey) | 78.25/100 |
| Safety walking alone — night (survey) | 56.03/100 |
Source: Stuttgart Police HQ — PKS 2025, Numbeo — Crime in Stuttgart. Data verified 2026-05-07.
Stuttgart vs. Other Automotive Cities
| City | Automotive Jobs | Avg Engineering Salary | Rent 70m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart | 120,000 | €78,000 | €1,106 |
| Munich | 50,000 (BMW) | €76,000 | €1,323 |
| Wolfsburg | 60,000 (VW) | €72,000 | €560 |
| Ingolstadt | 45,000 (Audi) | €74,000 | €700 |
Stuttgart has the most automotive engineering jobs in Europe, but Wolfsburg offers the best salary-to-rent ratio.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about Stuttgart
1. What is Stuttgart’s population in 2026? According to the city’s resident register, approximately 605,700 people had their primary residence in Stuttgart as of December 31, 2025. The Stuttgart metropolitan region is home to about 5.3 million people.
2. Is Stuttgart expensive? Yes, Stuttgart ranks among Germany’s more expensive cities. Average cold rent is €15.80/m², and the cost of living is roughly 20–25% above the national average. However, wages are correspondingly high — the average gross annual salary is approximately €57,000. Stuttgart is roughly 10–15% cheaper than Munich.
3. What are the major employers in Stuttgart? Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche AG, and Robert Bosch GmbH all have their global headquarters in Stuttgart. IBM Germany, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), and numerous engineering and IT service firms also maintain major operations here.
4. Is Stuttgart a green city? Absolutely — 60% of the city area consists of forests, parks, vineyards, or green spaces. Stuttgart lies in the Neckar river valley and is surrounded by vineyards; Württemberg and Rotenberg are popular recreational areas within city limits. The city is also investing in blue-green infrastructure for climate adaptation.
5. What’s the job market like in Stuttgart? The unemployment rate was around 4.1% in 2025, well below the national average of 6.2%. However, the automotive sector — the city’s largest employer — is undergoing a major transformation toward electric mobility. Demand for IT and software development professionals remains strong.
6. What universities are in Stuttgart? Beyond the University of Stuttgart (TU9 member, approx. 20,500 students), the city hosts DHBW Stuttgart (approx. 6,000 students, work-integrated programs) and Stuttgart Media University (HdM, approx. 4,500 students). Stuttgart is a major higher education hub in Baden-Württemberg.
7. How safe is Stuttgart? Stuttgart is one of Germany’s safer major cities. Its clearance rate of 66.9% is well above the national average, and total crime is declining. The downtown knife ban zone nearly halved serious knife attacks. The Numbeo Safety Index of 66.12 rates the city as “high” for safety.
8. What is the air quality like in Stuttgart? Stuttgart’s location in a valley basin restricts air circulation. However, extensive measures — diesel bans, low-emission zones, and air quality plans — have significantly reduced particulate matter and NOx levels. The city is actively working on climate adaptation through its KLIMAKS project.
9. Is moving to Stuttgart worth it? For professionals in automotive, engineering, and IT, Stuttgart offers excellent salaries with more moderate rent prices than Munich. The city also scores highly on quality of life, with abundant green spaces and close proximity to the Black Forest.
Decision Matrix
- If you work in automotive engineering: Nowhere better — Mercedes, Porsche, Bosch HQ
- If you want urban green living: 60% green space, vineyards in city limits, Black Forest nearby
- If you’re budget-conscious: Zuffenhausen or Feuerbach, under €1,000 for 70m²
- If you’re planning to study: University of Stuttgart (TU9) and DHBW offer excellent engineering and IT programs
Related: DevOps Engineer Salary, Cloud Engineer Jobs, Frankfurt vs. Stuttgart, Germany Rent Prices 2026, IT Project Manager Salary, AWS Solutions Architect Certification
Methodology
Data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), City of Stuttgart, Immoscout24, Immowelt, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce (IHK), Federal Employment Agency, University of Stuttgart, DHBW Stuttgart, Stuttgart Airport, EY Germany, Numbeo, VVS, Stuttgart Police HQ. Prices verified 2026-05-07.
AI-generated content, reviewed and verified by Kenndaten Editorial Team.
How we work
- Data researched directly from providers and official sources
- Prices updated regularly (as of 2026-05-07)
- Independent analysis — no paid placements
- Transparent methodology with source citations