Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
593K
Population
210 km2
Area
199 Mbps
Internet
116m
Elevation
Central European Time
Timezone
DUS (25km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Ruhr Valley’s green rebirth shines in Essen’s Zollverein coal mine turned design icon, blending industrial history with forested trails. Nomads leverage top-tier internet, S-Bahn connectivity across the region, and temperate rains that keep co-working hubs humming. Planet Zollverein’s cafes serve hearty Rhineland fare for sustained productivity.
QUICK FACTS
Country
North Rhine-Westphalia
Population
593K
Timezone
Central European Time
Elevation
116 m
Airport
DUS
GPS
51.46, 7.01
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Infrastructure
32,425 points of interest mapped in Essen — 154 per km2
Tech
Solid 199 Mbps internet — reliable for remote work and streaming
Economy
29% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
INFRASTRUCTURE
32,425 total POIs 154.2 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
1,022
Cafes
341
Bars
265
Fast Food
692
Shopping
Supermarkets
481
Convenience
75
Shopping Malls
70
Healthcare
Hospitals
35
Clinics
605
Pharmacies
285
Education
Schools
1,252
Universities
84
Libraries
52
Recreation
Parks
1,758
Playgrounds
1,698
Sports
716
Cinemas
14
Museums
66
Theatres
43
Transport
Bus Stops
4,072
Train Stations
529
Fuel Stations
216
Services
Banks
195
ATMs
142
Post Offices
138
Police
36
Fire Stations
59
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
199 Mbps
Download
44 Mbps
Upload
15ms
Latency
56,991
Tests
15,789
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Jul
5°
J
6°
F
8°
M
12°
A
15°
M
17°
J
18°
J
17°
A
15°
S
12°
O
8°
N
6°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 11.6 C Range: 4.8 - 18.3 C Rain: 1,220 mm/year Sunshine: 2,500 h/year
CITY SCORES
80.7
Nomad Index
C
Livability
37.5
Culture
50.0
Overall
COST OF LIVING
BIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
70.8
Overall
29% cheaper than NYC
18.1
Rent
82% cheaper than NYC
66.8
Groceries
33% cheaper than NYC
69.3
Restaurants
31% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
DUS
Düsseldorf Airport
25 km from center
~45 min ride
FUN FACTS
Essen (German pronunciation: [ˈɛsn̩] ) is the central and, after Dortmund, second-largest city of the Ruhr, the largest urban area in Germany.
Its population of 574,082 makes it the fourth-largest city of North Rhine-Westphalia after Cologne, Düsseldorf and Dortmund, as well as the tenth-largest city of Germany.
Essen lies in the larger Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, second largest by GDP in the EU, and is part of the cultural area of Rhineland.
Due to its central location in the Ruhr, Essen is often regarded as the Ruhr's "secret capital".
Two rivers flow through the city: the Emscher in the north, and in the south the Ruhr River, which is dammed in Essen to form the Lake Baldeney and Lake Kettwig reservoirs.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Essen known for?
Ruhr Valley’s green rebirth shines in Essen’s Zollverein coal mine turned design icon, blending industrial history with forested trails. Nomads leverage top-tier internet, S-Bahn connectivity across the region, and temperate rains that keep co-working hubs humming. Planet Zollverein’s cafes serve hearty Rhineland fare for sustained productivity.
How fast is the internet in Essen?
Essen has an average download speed of 199 Mbps and upload speed of 44 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Essen?
Essen has an average year-round temperature of approximately 11.6 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Essen?
Essen is served by DUS (Düsseldorf Airport), approximately 25 km from the city center.
What is the population of Essen?
The population of Essen is approximately 593K.
What infrastructure does Essen have?
Essen has 32,425 mapped points of interest, including 1,022 restaurants, 35 hospitals, 1,252 schools.
What country is Essen in?
Essen is located in North Rhine-Westphalia.