The 30 Richest and Wealthiest Cities in Germany

Germany is a beautiful country with many treasures and things to see. This country’s rich history and culture are present in its architecture and in the way the people live their lives. Germany is a progressive country with beautiful landmarks, greenery, and castles and has a population of over 80 million people. Covering 137,847 square miles, Germany is the 7th largest county in Europe.

To determine which German city is the wealthiest, it is best to compare the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of each city. According to Germany’s GDP, it is the fourth wealthiest country in the world – right behind the US, China, and Japan – and the wealthiest country in Europe.

GDP is a measurement of the economy and is the perfect tool to determine which city is the wealthiest. GDP is used by many to determine the wealth and status of a nation and it is sometimes used as a measurement to determine the health of an economy.

Table of Contents

The Richest and Wealthiest Cities in Germany

NumberCityGDP per capita
1Wolfsburg182,301
2Ingolstadt127,792
3Schweinfurt105,637
4Erlangen98,097
5Coburg98,042
6Frankfurt am Main94,190
7Stuttgart90,518
8Regensburg87,248
9Freiburg im Breisgau87,248
10Düsseldorf81,658
11Ludwigshafen am Rhein81,349
12Bonn80,288
13Munich79,690
14Braunschweig78,057
15Darmstadt77,892
16Ulm77,208
17Aschaffenburg74,500
18Emden72,973
19Koblenz68,464
20Passau68,044
21Mannheim67,775
22Karlsruhe65,518
23Hamburg64,771
24Würzburg64,527
25Bayreuth63,954
26Bamberg63,945
27Wiesbaden63,527
28Memmingen62,187
29Amberg61,617
30Nuremberg60,711

1. Wolfsburg – GDP per Capita €182,301

Wolfsburg is first on the list and is the richest city in Germany, according to its GDP per capita. The city of Wolfsburg is next to the Mittelland Canal and has a lot of history, with 16th-century castles and cultural architecture by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. This German city is also home to an automobile museum and a planetarium. In 1938, Wolfsburg founded an industrial community employing many of the working people in Germany.

The GDP per capita is €182,301, which makes Wolfsburg the wealthiest city in all of Germany.

2. Ingolstadt – GDP per Capita €127,792

The 2nd wealthiest city in Germany is Ingolstadt, according to their GDP per capita. Ingolstadt is a city in South Germany that borders the Danube and Schutter rivers. This German city also has a lot of history. As far back as 806, it was a crown estate, and in the 19th century, it was a fortress town during World War II, which unfortunately resulted in damage to the city. After the war ended, reconstruction began and the city was able to expand.

Now Ingolstadt is considered a college city with excellent shopping options. Due to its automobile discoveries, many people who love cars and history travel here. There are still elements of the old city, and the traditional features blend well with the modern and vibrant feel of the city. The GDP per capita in Ingolstadt is €127,792.

3. Schweinfurt – GDP per Capita €105,637

The 3rd wealthiest city in Germany is Schweinfurt, in Bavaria. The economy in Schweinfurt is considered one of the most rapidly expanding economies in all of Germany due to its metal and product manufacturing. There are many jobs available in this city, which makes it one of the wealthiest on this list.

This city is best known for its industrial prowess and its educational availability. Schweinfurt is truly economically sound and continues to grow. The GDP per Capita for Schweinfurt is €105,637.

4. Erlangen – GDP per Capita €98,097

Number four on the list of the wealthiest German cities is Erlangen. Erlangen is one of the smallest cities in Bavaria and is located between the Schwabach and Regnitz rivers. This city was founded in the 8th century and holds a lot of history.

Although it’s one of the smallest cities in the region, it has a lot of personality and therefore is a favorite tourist destination in Germany. This city is well known for its Christmas celebrations and beer. As the fourth wealthiest city in Germany, based on GDP per capita, there is much to do and see. The GDP per capita in Erlangen is €98.097.

5. Coburg – GDP per Capita €98,042

Coburg is the fifth richest city in Germany and is located next to the Itz river. In 1248, the counts of Henneberg inherited this city.

Like other cities in Germany, Coburg’s economy is driven by industrialism. Coburg manufactures automobile parts, fabrics, and machinery.

The historic architecture of this city makes it a popular tourist destination, and history buffs may want to visit the natural history museum or 16th-century town hall. Coburg is also home to several castles. The GDP per capita for Coburg is €98,042.

6. Frankfurt am Main – GDP per Capita €94,190

“Frankfurt am Main” stands for “Frankfurt on the Main” in English. This city’s river location resulted in unique history and had early Celtic and Germanic settlers arriving as early as the first century BCE.

Frankfurt am Main is also a very popular town for other aspects of history and is home to the late, famous writer Johnathan Wolfgang van Goethe. His home is now the Goethe House Museum.

Frankfurt am Main is also home to the European Central Bank, making it a very popular and financially sound city. The GDP per capita for Frank am Main €94,190.

7. Stuttgart – GDP per Capita €90,518

Stuttgart, located near the Neckar River, started as a stud farm and developed a wine industry in the 13th century.

Stuttgart today is well own for its car manufacturing industry. Like other German cities, automobile history is very present here, and the city is best known for its Porsche and Mercedes-Benz production.

Stuttgart is filled with large, green spaces and parks and is home to one of the largest zoos and botanical gardens in all of Europe.

The GDP per Capita in Stuttgart is €90,518.

8. Regensburg – GDP per Capita €87,248

Regensburg, a Bavarian city that sits along the Danube, is a popular city because of its medieval features.

There are still 12th-century stone bridges and 13th-century cathedrals in use and visible today. These and large arches make Regensburg look like a well-preserved, gothic-medieval town.

Many individuals who visit Regensburg do so to drink and party, due to the city’s abundance of bars. In fact, this city has the highest concentration of bars in all of Germany. Regensburg’s GDP per capita is €87,248 and is actually the same as the next city mentioned on this list. Therefore, the GDP per employee was used to break the tie, which is €82,347.

9. Freiburg im Breisgau – GDP per Capita €87,248

Freiburg im Breisgau is an interesting town. This city is well known for its economic practices, wine tourism, and sunny climate. Freiburg im Breisgau came really close to being number 8 on the list of the wealthiest cities, but was dropped to number 9 due to its GDP per employee, which is €67,227.

This city is also known as a university town. Similar to Regensburg, there are many old medieval attributes that make this place a site to see.

The GDP per capita for Freiburg im Breisgau is also €87,248.

10. Düsseldorf – GDP per Capita €81,658

Number ten on the list is Dusseldorf. This city is near the Rhine River and is best known for its fashion and art culture. Dusseldorf is the seventh-largest city in all of Germany and is home to over 600,000 people, making it one of the largest populations in the region. There are many shopping opportunities and boutiques to look forward to when visiting Dusseldorf.

The GDP per capita is €81,658, making this city the 10th wealthiest city in Germany.

11. Ludwigshafen am Rhein – GDP per Capita €81,349

“Ludwigshafen am Rhein” translates to “Ludwigshafen on the Rhein”, and it is quite literally next to the Rhine’s riverbank. This city was founded in the year 1606 and was one of many cities severely damaged during World War II.

The rebuild was done in a more modern style, and due to the city’s previous damage, Ludwigshafen is not known for its old architecture. Its economic growth stems from chemical production and has since the 19th century.

This city has a more urban feel than other old Germanic cities. The GDP per capita is €81,349.

12. Bonn – GDP per Capita €80,288

Bonn is also located on the Rhine River and actually served as the federal government’s seat from 1999 to 2000 before the German federal government moved operations to Berlin. It was also the capital of the Federal Republic until 1990 when it too was changed to Berlin.

Bonn is now a hub for shopping and other cultural aspects of Germany. Like other cities in Germany, there are many gothic features that will amaze any visiting tourist. There is a Roman-like church, known as the Bonn Minster, as well as museums and World War II exhibits.

The GDP per capita in Bonn is €80,288.

13. Munich – GDP per Capita €79,690

Munich is Bavaria’s largest city and is the third-largest city in Germany. Mich itself is absolutely beautiful and is best known for its promoted lifestyle.

There are plenty of things to do in Munich, including visiting its central square, shopping in some of the most exclusive shops in the region, and visiting Bayern Munich’s stadium. For history buffs, there are also medieval landmarks from the 16th century to visit.

The GDP per capita in Munich is €79,690.

14. Braunschweig – GDP per Capita €78,057

Braunschweig, which is also pronounced Brunswick, is number 14 on the list of Germany’s wealthiest cities and is home to many German landmarks and cathedrals.

Braunschweig is located on the Oker river and is known as the city of lions and scientists. This is in part to an individual by the name of Henry the Lion, who took up residency in the city during the 12th century, essentially turning this city into a trading entity. This city was once one of Europe’s most valuable places.

During the 20th century, the sciences and the arts were heavily promoted in this city, and it became the City of Science in 2007. The GDP per capita of Braunschweig is €78,057.

15. Darmstadt – GDP per Capita €77,892

Number 15 on the list of the wealthiest German cities is Darmstadt and is close to Frankfurt and the Rhine River. It was chartered in 1330 is now a hub for literature, science, and the arts. It is well-known for its architecture and for the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), as well as its acclaimed institutions and publishers. The GDP per capita in Darmstadt is €77,892.

16. Ulm – GDP per Capita €77,208

Ulm is an interesting German city with history and architecture from medieval times. Ulm is home to one of the tallest churches in the world, which has views of the entire town even on the cloudiest of days.

Ulm is home to many other attractions, including a town hall with extravagant paintings on the building’s exterior. After being severely damaged during World War II, Ulm sought to revitalize its town and restore its original buildings for the perfect mix of old and new. Ulm’s GDP per capita is €77,208.

17. Aschaffenburg – GDP per Capita €74,500

Aschaffenburg is near the Main River in Southern Germany and was a Roman settlement until 982. It is known for its sunny, but mild climate, as well as its modern culture and old tradition.

There is a lot to do in Aschaffenburg, including shopping, viewing architectural sights, and visiting galleries. There are also palaces, museums, and art exhibits, and the 17th-century renaissance palace has the largest painting collection in Bavaria. The GDP per capita for Aschaffenburg is €74,500.

18. Emden – GDP per Capita €72,973

According to the GDP per capita, Emden is Germany’s 18th wealthiest city. Emden is near the Ems River, which is in part how it got its name. Emden is a seaport city in northwest Germany and has a smaller population of a little over 51,000 people. Although quaint, this town has plenty of things to see and delicious places to eat.

Emden also has a rich history. After the Dutch Wars of Independence in the 16th century, it garnered Holland’s trade and became one of the most important cities for Dutch refugees and one of the best European ports.

The GDP per capita for Emden is €72,973.

19. Koblenz – GDP per Capita €68,464

Koblenz, originally spelled “Coblenz”, is in between the Rhine and Moselle rivers, surrounded by mountains and forests, and is one of Germany’s oldest cities.

This German town is uniquely cultured and is a fusion of French and German traditions. There are many historical attractions to see, including the town hall courtyard. The GDP of Koblenz is €68,464, making this town the 19th wealthiest city in Germany.

20. Passau – GDP per Capita €68,044

Passau is the 20th wealthiest German city. It is located in Southeastern Germany, near the Danube, Ilz, and Inn rivers. Its proximity to these rivers has given it the title of the “City of Three Rivers”. It lies on the Austrian border and was inhabited by Celtic and then Roman settlers.

The city’s rich history is represented in its beautiful architecture. One of the cathedrals in Passau, known as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world. If history isn’t your thing, there are also options for high-end shopping and sightseeing in Passau.

Passau’s GDP per capita is €68,044.

21. Mannheim – GDP per Capita €67,775

Mannheim is a popular German city and is located near the right bank of the Rhine River in southwest Germany. This city has a lot of history and was actually destroyed in the Thirty Years’ War and the precursor to the War of the Grand Alliance, in 1622 and 1689, respectively.

It has since then been rebuilt but has retained much of its traditional charm. The city of Mannheim is home to several historical home exhibits and is one of the first cities to be placed on a grid in Germany. Due to the grid-like layout of Manheim, it is known as the chessboard city. The GDP per capita for Mannheim is €67,775, which lands this town at number 21 on this list.

22. Karlsruhe – GDP per Capita €65,518

Number 22 of the wealthiest German cities is Karlsruhe. This city is right on the north edge of the Black Forest in Germany and close to the Rhine River.

Karlsruhe has a lot of history and is home to Germany’s high court. Karlsruhe is considered a more liberal city and is full of arts and culture. Science and technology are also driving forces behind Karlsruhe’s economy.

When visiting Karlsruhe, you will find plenty of interactive art and media installations, as well as an 18th-century tower, known as the Karlsruhe Palace. The GDP per capita for this city is €65,518.

23. Hamburg – GDP per Capita €64,771

Hamburg is located in northern Germany and is home to the country’s largest port and largest commercial center.

Many people find traveling by boat the thing to do since Hamburg is connected by a series of canals. There are plenty of traditional restaurants and bars to patron as well as historical architecture to see. The GDP per capita for Hamburg is €64,771.

24. Würzburg – GDP per Capita €64,527

Würzburg is located in southern-central Germany. It has a canal that is actually the Main River and is home to much history, including several family revolts.

Würzburg is best known for its Rococo architecture, with the 18th-century Residenz palace a noteworthy example of this lavish building design. This city is also home to a well-established university.

The GDP per capita in Würzburg is €64,527, making it the 24th wealthiest city in Germany.

25. Bayreuth – GDP per Capita €63,954

Bayreuth is a town in Bavaria that sits along the Red Main River. Bayreuth is a lively town that was formed around the castle of the counts and served as a strategic point for various trading routes.

Bayreuth was also home to Richard Wagner, whose former residence was converted into a museum. Every year an annual Bayreuth Festival is held and pieces composed by Wagner are performed.

The Margravial Opera House is one of the town’s most valuable assets and was granted UNESCO world heritage site status in the year 2012. The GDP for this notable town is €63,954.

26. Bamberg – GDP per Capita €63,945

Bamberg, near the Regnitz river, was once occupied by the Roman emperor, Henry II. It has many historical structures from the 11th to 19th century and a very traditional feel.

During the 12th century, Bamberg became extremely influential to the architecture of northern Germany and Hungary. It was also seen as a progressive and more enlightened city. Philosophers Georg Wilhelm and Friedrich Hegel and famed writer Theodor Amadeus Hoffman took up residence here during this time, which contributed to this city’s Renaissance-like attributes. The GDP per capita of Bamburg is €63,945.

27. Wiesbaden – GDP per Capita €63,527

Wiesbaden is a small German city in the state of Hesse with many amazing natural and manmade features.

Wiesbaden is home to the neo-Gothic market church and history exhibits but is best known for its luxury, spas, and shopping. There are 26 hot springs for inhabitants and visitors to enjoy, as well as many parks and casinos. The GDP per capita in Wiesbaden is €63,527.

28. Memmingen – GDP per Capita €62,187

Memmingen is in Southern Germany near the Ich River. This city is home to multiple historical landmarks and is known for its service and convention center. This city acts as a center for administration and education.

Memmingen has a rich history and was originally part Roman trading route due to its prime location. Memmingen is also home to one of the major salt roads running from Germany into Italy. Due to its advantageous location, it was chartered in the 12th century.

Now Memmingen is becoming a pleasant spot for tourists to visit due to a small airport with international flights right outside the city. Memmingen’s GDP per capita is €62,187, making it the 28th wealthiest country in Germany.

29. Amberg – GDP per Capita €61,617

Amberg is another small town in the German state of Bavaria and has a modest population of just under 44,000 people. This city is home to many historical sites and traditional architecture. In the 16h century, this city thrived on the trade of iron and tinplate.

Amberg was actually the capital until 1810 and was known for being one of the most secure cities in Medieval Germany – the old walls and gates that fortified it during medieval times still stand to this day. The GDP per capita in Amberg is €61,617, landing this town at number 29 on this list.

30. Nuremberg – GDP per Capita €60,711

Last but not least is Nuremberg, the 30th wealthiest city in Germany. Nuremberg is the 14th largest city in the German state of Bavaria and has over 500,000 residents.

This city has a very interesting history. Nuremberg is home to a documentation center for the former Nazi party rallies, and the chief Nazi perpetrators were convicted here in 1946.

The GDP per capita for Nuremberg is €60,711.

Germany is one of the wealthiest and most historic countries in the world, and the cities in Germany reflect this well. Germany offers free college educations and has preserved its history in the form of architectural masterpieces. It has earned its spot as Europe’s wealthiest country.