Every score on Erasmus City Finder has an identifiable origin. Some come from public statistical datasets, some are initial editorial estimates, and all of them become progressively more review-driven as students share their real experiences. This page explains exactly how each one is built.
Each city is rated from 1 to 5 in seven categories. The scale is relative to other Erasmus destinations in our database, not absolute: a 3 in Cost of Living means "typical for an Erasmus city in Europe", not "average worldwide". Scores describe character, not quality — a quiet city is not a worse city.
External data
Built primarily from public datasets and indices. The source and the period it covers are always listed next to the category.
Editorial score
An initial estimate written by our editorial team using city research, university information and student feedback we have collected so far. Clearly labelled as editorial until enough reviews exist.
Student reviews
Once a city collects a meaningful number of verified student reviews, those ratings progressively replace the editorial estimate and the score shows how many reviews it is based on.
External data
Reflects what an Erasmus student actually spends: rent in shared student housing, groceries, eating out, local transport and everyday leisure. We combine national and city-level price indices with the budget ranges students report. Higher scores mean a more affordable city.
Data sources
Editorial score
Considers the density and variety of student-oriented venues, typical closing hours, drink prices, the size of the Erasmus scene and how easy it is to go out on a weeknight. Currently an editorial estimate informed by student feedback; it will become review-driven as reviews accumulate.
External data
Based on long-term climate normals: annual sunshine hours, average temperatures during the academic year, rainfall and how comfortable the city is outdoors between September and June. Extreme summer heat is weighted lightly, since most exchanges end before it peaks.
Data sources
External data
Measures how easy and cheap it is to travel from the city: airport connectivity and low-cost routes, rail and bus links, proximity to other countries, and access to weekend destinations.
Data sources
Editorial score
Covers the size and integration of the international student community, ESN and university activities, how welcoming the city is to newcomers and how easy it is to build a social circle. Currently an editorial estimate that becomes review-driven over time.
External data
Reflects availability and price pressure in the student rental market: typical room prices, competition at the start of each semester, how far in advance students need to search and how much university housing exists.
Data sources
External data
Based on international rankings of the city's main host universities, together with the breadth of English-taught courses and their experience hosting exchange students. It rates the city's academic offer, not any single degree programme.
Data sources
Every approved student experience feeds back into the city profile. While a city has only a handful of reviews, they act as a supporting signal (under 5% of the score) and we do not display review counters — a single review is not a statistic. Once a city passes a meaningful volume of reviews, student ratings take over as the primary input for that category and the score displays how many reviews it is based on. We keep all genuine reviews, including those we could not fully verify, and instead improve their attribution: first name or nickname, destination, exchange year and, where a quote comes from an external platform, a visible source credit.
External datasets are reviewed at least once per academic year, and whenever a major source publishes new figures. Student reviews are applied continuously as they are approved. Whenever a score changes materially, the source and the period it covers are updated on this page.
The monthly budget is a typical all-in cost for one Erasmus student sharing a flat, covering accommodation, food, local transport and leisure. It is built from price indices and student-reported spending, then shown as a range rather than a single number. The breakdown on each city page is an approximate distribution, adjusted for local rental pressure — students who cook at home or live outside the centre usually land at the lower end.
