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Villingen-Schwenningen, Baden-Württemberg

Germany · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

66
Overall Score

Villingen-Schwenningen is a vibrant double city located in the Black Forest-Baar region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Formed through the municipal merger of the historic, fortified town of Villingen and the industrial hub of Schwenningen, the city presents a unique blend of medieval architecture and modern manufacturing prowess. People are drawn to the area for its strategic location near the Swiss and French borders, robust economic opportunities, and high standard of living complemented by natural beauty.

About Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg, located in southwestern Germany, is a highly innovative and economically prosperous state known for its diverse landscapes, including the Black Forest and Lake Constance. Its economy is driven by major industries such as automobile manufacturing (home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche), mechanical and electrical engineering, and a strong presence of small and medium-sized enterprises. Living costs in Baden-Württemberg are generally higher than the German average, particularly for rent in larger cities like Stuttgart. The region experiences a temperate climate, and residents enjoy a high quality of life with excellent employment opportunities, cultural attractions, and outdoor activities.

85,858
Population
$54K
Avg Salary
88
Cost Index
66.0
Quality Score
How this 66/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 82 / 100 82.0 30% 24.6
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 88.0 58.8 25% 14.7
Economy & jobs Median household income: $58,000 Income needed to live here: $48,000 Unemployment rate: 4.2% 61.8 20% 12.4
Growth Population growth rate: 0.8% Job growth rate: 1.5% 47.5 15% 7.1
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 72 / 100 72.0 10% 7.2
Overall score 66.0

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

Businesses in Villingen-Schwenningen

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Quality Scores

Business
72
Livability
78
Affordability
70
Growth
71

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Villingen-Schwenningen aligns closely with regional averages in Baden-Württemberg, remaining moderate compared to major German metropolises like Stuttgart or Munich. While housing and rental demands have risen steadily, everyday expenses such as groceries and public transportation stay reasonable. Utilities and energy costs reflect national German averages, influenced by federal regulatory frameworks and renewable energy investments.

Average Rent
$1,100/mo
Groceries
$420/mo
Transport
$85/mo
Utilities
$220/mo
Healthcare
$200/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$45.00
Cinema ticket
$13.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$20.00
Monthly groceries
$380.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$120.00

Salary Insights

As an economic anchor in the Black Forest region, Villingen-Schwenningen boasts a thriving industrial sector anchored by precision engineering, electrical engineering, and manufacturing. Major employers span medium-sized enterprises and global players in automotive suppliers and technology. The local job market demonstrates strong resilience, backed by a skilled workforce and proximity to specialized educational institutions like Furtwangen University.

The average salary in Villingen-Schwenningen is $54,000 per year. You would need approximately $48,000 to live comfortably.

Top Industries

Trade & Logistics +1.20% Healthcare & Social Services +2.20% Information Technology & Services +3.10% Manufacturing & Precision Engineering +1.40% Electrical Engineering & Electronics +1.80%

Climate

🌡️
9°C
Avg Temp
☀️
23°C
Summer High
❄️
-2°C
Winter Low
🌧️
33.10"
Annual Rain
💧
72.00%
Humidity
🌤️
244
Sunny Days

Transport

The city functions as an important regional transit node, offering dependable public bus networks and rail connections linking to major hubs like Konstanz, Stuttgart, and Freiburg. Walkability is high within the distinct centers of both Villingen and Schwenningen, while a well-developed network of bike lanes supports active commuting. Car ownership remains common for regional travel, supported by efficient arterial roads and highway access.

24 min
Avg Commute
60.00/10
Transit Score
65.00/10
Walkability
Medium
Car Dependency

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Strategic economic hub with a strong concentration of precision engineering and technology employers.
Exceptional safety profile with low crime rates across all neighborhoods.
Immediate proximity to the Black Forest providing extensive outdoor recreation and nature access.
High quality of municipal services, education, and healthcare infrastructure.
Balanced cost of living compared to major metropolitan areas like Stuttgart or Munich.
Drawbacks
Rental and housing acquisition prices have risen steadily due to growing demand.
Winters can be cold and long with significant snowfall, impacting daily commuting.
Public transit options outside peak hours can be less frequent in suburban districts.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger university cities.
High reliance on regional road networks can create congestion during rush hours.

Questions about Villingen-Schwenningen

What people ask about living in and moving to Villingen-Schwenningen, Baden-Württemberg.

Gathering the most common questions about Villingen-Schwenningen…

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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