When comparing the two cities, the saying “Leipzig is the new Berlin” is becoming increasingly common these days. In fact, the Saxon city offers many advantages, especially for young people, that are also attributed to Germany’s capital. It has a young, lively scene culture and an attractive, green cityscape with numerous leisure opportunities and excellent educational opportunities. On the other hand, housing prices in Leipzig are comparatively low, whereas in Berlin they are growing steadily, especially in the popular districts and neighborhoods. These are all factors that actually suggest that Leipzig is the better Berlin. However, the capital still has its charms too. The international flair it exudes is particularly unique. If you are also familiar with the real estate market here, you can still find affordable housing in Berlin, provided you are flexible in your choice of district. Especially in the outlying districts, Berlin’s housing prices are more affordable than is often assumed.

The quality of living and variety of leisure options are great, regardless of whether you choose to live in Leipzig or Berlin. As the German capital, Berlin offers the right environment for almost every taste, regardless of whether you like it quiet, cozy and close to nature or prefer trendy districts with a lively, urban flair. Life in Berlin is characterized by its diversity, the size of the city and its multicultural character. In contrast to Berlin, which is visited by many tourists, the Saxon city of Leipzig has a more iconic character. Nevertheless, Leipzig does not have to hide behind Berlin in a city comparison, as it offers just as high a quality of life as the capital, which it owes to the many green spaces and the extensive range of sport, art and culture on offer, as well as the diverse natural surroundings. Leipzig is considered large enough to be able to experience something, but at the same time is sufficiently manageable to avoid falling into anonymity.

Leipzig has seen an enormous increase in population over the last ten years, partly due to the many students who have settled here. The city is considered ideal for young people who are looking for a trendy environment but do not want or are unable to pay high housing prices. Whereas a few years ago there was still a high vacancy rate here, the housing market in Leipzig is becoming increasingly tight. Word of the city’s popularity has long since spread. Property buyers are increasingly switching from Berlin to Leipzig to invest their money in real estate there. Berlin’s population is also still growing, but not to the same extent as a decade ago. In conjunction with many residential construction projects completed in 2019, this has ensured that the real estate situation there has eased somewhat, even if there is still a shortage of housing and this is unlikely to change in the near future.

One of the biggest differences between the two cities is the economic structure. Berlin is regarded as an ideal location for start-ups and sees several hundred new start-ups every year. The capital’s economy is characterized by its high degree of globalization and digitalization. Leipzig is also home to a number of major employers, including BMW, DHL, Amazon and Lufthansa. However, there is still potential here when it comes to start-ups. Nevertheless, Leipzig has a locational advantage thanks to its location in the Central German metropolitan region, which is why it can be assumed that a number of companies will settle here in the future in order to benefit from this advantage.

The main difference between Berlin and Leipzig lies in the population figures. While the capital city has 3,700,000 inhabitants and a population density of 4,100 inhabitants per square kilometer, Leipzig has a total of only 600,000 inhabitants. There are 1,950 inhabitants per square kilometer. The unemployment rate is 7.7 percent in Berlin and 6.3 percent in Leipzig. In Berlin, which was long regarded as the “capital of crime”, crime has also fallen by ten percent in recent years. Leipzig has also seen a reduction in crime statistics. It also has a very good infrastructure for a city of its size, including several freeways, an international airport, an excellent S-Bahn network and several bus and streetcar lines. Berlin’s infrastructure is also excellent. Two airports and an extensive public transport network enable a high level of mobility throughout the city.

Berlin is one of the most popular cities in Germany, and that will not change in the future. It has a unique character that attracts people from all over the world. Nevertheless, Leipzig has been developing into a real alternative to the metropolis on the Spree for a number of years, at least for some groups of people. Young people appreciate the creative freedom they have here, as well as the lower housing prices offered by the Saxon city. It can therefore be assumed that the population will continue to grow in the near future. The high quality of life that Leipzig offers contributes to this. In addition, many of the city’s new residents appreciate its manageability, because despite its urban flair and growth, Leipzig has so far managed to retain its special charm and iconic character.