Costs
Costs in Germany are relatively high but usually prices of rent vary between regions and cities. If you want to live in large and attractive city you have to spend more than third of your income on rent, although lately prices have gone down.
Tax is always included on the price tag. What you see is what you pay. In January 2007, value-added tax was raised from 16 to 19 percent. For selected items like books and food, tax is only 7 percent.