Energy costs are more of a burden on East Germany than in the West

Energy prices, which have risen again due to the Iran war, are putting a strain on households nationwide. However, eastern Germany is significantly more affected overall due to its lower purchasing power. However, a country in the west is hit hardest.

According to a new analysis by the comparison portal Verivox, energy costs continue to burden households in eastern Germany more than consumers in the west. Purchasing power-adjusted spending on heat, electricity and fuel in the East is on average 16 percent higher than in West Germany.

Taking purchasing power into account, according to Verivox, a sample household in western Germany will pay 2,545 euros for heat, electricity and fuel. In East Germany, on the other hand, it is 2,973 euros: 350 euros above the national average and 428 euros above the level of the West German federal states.

For the calculations, the comparison portal looked at the energy costs for the months January to July. However, Bremen, a western German state, is at the top. According to the analysis, energy costs there, adjusted for purchasing power, are 22 percent above the national average. This is followed by Thuringia (20 percent), Saxony (17), Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (16 each).

Households in Bavaria get it cheaper, where energy costs are twelve percent below the national average. According to the analysis, the biggest differences are in heating and fuel costs. In addition to regional price differences for electricity, gas and fuel, the different purchasing power is particularly important, said Thorsten Storck, energy expert at the comparison portal. "In regions with lower purchasing power, comparable energy costs take up a larger share of disposable income."

The analysis involves comparative values ​​adjusted for purchasing power and extrapolated to one year and not the actual billing amounts of an average household.