Happiness Atlas: Erfurt is Germany's most satisfied major city, Berlin lands in 35th place

As the study authors explain, the following applies to Erfurt: „Die Mieten sind gering, die Umweltqualität hoch und die wirtschaftliche Lage ist im Städtevergleich sogar leicht überdurchschnittlich." This sets the city clearly apart from other large eastern German cities. At the bottom of the ranking is Rostock, with a score of just 5.8 on the satisfaction index.

Methodology and Data Basis

According to the study, the survey, conducted by the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach, is based on responses from a total of 23,286 people between the ages of 16 and 84. The survey was carried out „im Zeitraum von Januar 2023 bis April 2026". The study thus covers several years and reflects sentiment in Germany's major cities over an extended period.

„Laut der Studie sind die ostdeutschen Großstädter im Durchschnitt unzufriedener, älter, leben häufiger allein und seltener im Wohneigentum" als Bewohner westdeutscher Großstädte. The economic framework conditions also differ: „Auch die Arbeitslosenquoten seien noch höher als im Westen und das verfügbare Einkommen geringer", heißt es in der Studie.

Berlin as a Social Outlier

Berlin takes only 35th place in the ranking, placing it behind Bremen, Wuppertal, and Gelsenkirchen. Frankfurt follows in 38th place, with Wiesbaden in 39th. The study authors see Berlin as a special case: „Mit einem extrem hohen Anteil an Einpersonenhaushalten zeige sich Berlin als 'sozialer Extremfall'."

In addition, infrastructure is rated below average by residents, and the population's mental health is comparatively weaker. The study authors also cite a comparatively high crime rate as a reason for dissatisfaction in the capital. Strikingly, however, Berlin has an above-average birth rate according to the study.

Overall, the study shows a clear trend: „Mit zunehmender Stadtgröße sinke im Durchschnitt die Lebenszufriedenheit". „Das sei ein Muster, das sich mit wenigen Ausnahmen wie Hamburg oder Düsseldorf durch das gesamte Städteranking ziehe", schreiben die Autoren. Dresden lands in 31st place in the ranking.

East-West Divide Remains Visible

The Happiness Atlas has been used for years as one of the most important representative surveys on life satisfaction in Germany. Respondents live in Germany's 40 largest cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants. The study thus focuses on urban centers and does not reflect rural regions.

The study places the results in a broader context: larger cities often offer more cultural and professional opportunities, but evidently come with burdens that affect perceived quality of life. The exceptions of Hamburg and Düsseldorf show that size alone is not decisive.

For the study authors, the ranking highlights the persistent differences between East and West. While Erfurt shows that an eastern German major city can also achieve high satisfaction scores, the figures for Berlin, Rostock, and other cities point to structural challenges that continue to exist with regard to housing, income, and infrastructure.