In short
Rems-Murr-Kreis is a rural district (Landkreis) in Baden-Württemberg with 440,696 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has one university: EHIP - Europäische Hochschule für Innovation und Perspektive (Backnang). Summers average 17.8 °C and winters 1.2 °C, with about 895 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).
Rems-Murr-Kreis district in numbers
- Population
- Area
858.08 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- People per km²
- Universities in the district
1Where Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)
EHIP - Europäische Hochschule für Innovation und Perspektive
- Typical student rent
€10.16/m² per month, excluding utilitiesSource (opens in a new tab)
Average net cold rent in Waiblingen's official Mietspiegel 2025, with a reference date of 1 August 2024. The index is valid from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2027. This is an apartment comparison-rent benchmark, not a WG-room price or an average of current advertisements.
- Average temperature
9.4 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Rain
895 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine
1,739 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
- Frost days
61 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)
About Rems-Murr-Kreis district
Rems-Murr-Kreis belongs to the Stuttgart region, with its district administration in Waiblingen. The Rems and Murr rivers give the district its name; settlement is concentrated in the western towns and river valleys, while forested hills shape much of the north and centre (district background (opens in a new tab)).
Its character combines industry with wine-growing traditions. STIHL has manufacturing and development operations in Waiblingen, while the Remstal's Besenwirtschaften are winegrowers' taverns serving their own wine and Swabian food (STIHL (opens in a new tab), Remstal Tourismus (opens in a new tab)).
Main towns
Waiblingen
The district's administrative centre, with both S-Bahn and regional rail services (district background (opens in a new tab), DB timetable (opens in a new tab)).
Backnang
A useful rail base for journeys towards Stuttgart and, on the S4, Ludwigsburg (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)).
Schorndorf
A town with a central market square, regional trains and the S2 connection to Stuttgart (city market information (opens in a new tab), city transport information (opens in a new tab)).
Fellbach
Its wine-growing identity is celebrated at the annual Fellbacher Herbst harvest and wine festival (City of Fellbach (opens in a new tab)).
Winnenden
Home to a Rems-Murr-Kliniken hospital and Kärcher operations offering student placements (Rems-Murr-Kliniken (opens in a new tab), Kärcher student careers (opens in a new tab)).
Universities here
Universities in Rems-Murr-Kreis district, biggest first.
EHIP – Europäische Hochschule für Innovation und Perspektive is based in Backnang. Its regular distance-learning programme is fully digital and requires no regular campus attendance, so moving nearby is a lifestyle choice rather than a teaching requirement (EHIP (opens in a new tab)). Nearby campus-based options include universities in Ludwigsburg and Esslingen. For a Ludwigsburg commute, Backnang has a direct S4 connection; allow additional time between the station and your campus (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)). Consider the district if you value access to local employers and countryside, and choose your address around the journey you will actually make.
- Website (opens in a new tab)
EHIP - Europäische Hochschule für Innovation und Perspektive
University of applied sciences · Backnang · 12 courses
Housing
Start searching early and compare several towns: the University of Stuttgart recommends beginning the regional housing search even before admission (university housing advice (opens in a new tab)). Waiblingen has an official rent index, but it measures comparison rents rather than today's advertised student-room prices (City of Waiblingen (opens in a new tab)).
The typical student rent we found, and what that figure covers, is in the key facts.
How to find a place
- Check the Waiblingen shared-room search on meinestadt.de, and inspect the actual address and accommodation type before comparing offers (local search (opens in a new tab)).
- Use ImmoScout24's Waiblingen WG search and expand it to neighbouring Fellbach and Winnenden when results are limited (local search (opens in a new tab)).
- Use Waiblingen's official Mietspiegel and linked calculator to understand an apartment's comparison rent; ask separately about heating, other charges and internet (City of Waiblingen (opens in a new tab)).
- Before signing, compare the journey from the property to your campus. Backnang's direct S4 to Ludwigsburg and Waiblingen's Stuttgart services make different addresses suitable for different commutes (Backnang timetable (opens in a new tab), Waiblingen timetable (opens in a new tab)).
Cost of living
The standard Deutschlandticket costs €63 per month through December 2026 and covers local and regional public transport; most long-distance trains are excluded (VVS (opens in a new tab)). Waiblingen's published housing benchmark excludes utilities, so budget from the actual warm rent and any separately billed services (official rent index (opens in a new tab)). Compare complete offers before assuming that living outside Stuttgart will save money.
Jobs & employers
Manufacturing, development and healthcare provide concrete employment routes here: STIHL operates in Waiblingen and Fellbach, Kärcher advertises student placements in Winnenden, and Rems-Murr-Kliniken operates hospitals in Winnenden and Schorndorf (STIHL (opens in a new tab), Kärcher (opens in a new tab), Rems-Murr-Kliniken (opens in a new tab)). Kärcher also offers apprenticeships and dual-study routes; these are separate commitments from an ordinary student job (Kärcher training (opens in a new tab)).
Typical student jobs
- Working-student roles in communications and digital portfolio management at STIHL (careers portal (opens in a new tab)).
- Working-student support in product certification and labelling at STIHL (careers portal (opens in a new tab)).
- Visitor-service work at STIHL Markenwelt in Waiblingen (careers portal (opens in a new tab)).
- Working-student roles in purchasing and communications at Kärcher in Winnenden (student careers portal (opens in a new tab)).
- Holiday jobs at STIHL when its seasonal application form is open (careers portal (opens in a new tab)).
Major employers
STIHL (opens in a new tab)
Power tools and manufacturing
Waiblingen houses the company's headquarters, production and development operations; Fellbach has IT, finance and controlling functions (STIHL locations (opens in a new tab)).
Kärcher (opens in a new tab)
Cleaning technology
Offers working-student roles and internships in Winnenden, including technical and business functions (student careers (opens in a new tab), company training information (opens in a new tab)).
Rems-Murr-Kliniken (opens in a new tab)
Healthcare
Operates hospitals in Winnenden and Schorndorf, with career paths spanning clinical work, administration, technical services and hospital support (employer information (opens in a new tab)).
Getting around
The district is within VVS. Schorndorf has the S2 and regional trains towards Stuttgart (city transport information (opens in a new tab)). Published timetable examples put Waiblingen–Stuttgart Hbf at about 15 minutes by S-Bahn, Backnang–Stuttgart Hbf at about 25–30 minutes by regional train or 34 minutes by S3, and Backnang–Ludwigsburg at about 33 minutes by S4. These are station-to-station examples; check your travel date for alterations (Waiblingen timetable (opens in a new tab), Backnang timetable (opens in a new tab)). The Deutschlandticket covers these local and regional services (VVS (opens in a new tab)).
- Main stations
- Waiblingen — regional trains and S-Bahn connections (DB (opens in a new tab)).
- Backnang — regional trains, S3 and S4 (DB (opens in a new tab)).
- Schorndorf — regional trains and S2 (City of Schorndorf (opens in a new tab)).
- Nearest airport
Stuttgart Airport
Accessible through the Stuttgart S-Bahn network. VVS gives about 27 minutes from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to the airport on S2/S3; add your journey from the district and check the day's connection (VVS airport guide (opens in a new tab)).
Weather & seasons
Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Murrhardt (10 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.
Winter
1.2 °C
68 mm rain a month
2.1 h sun a day
Spring
9.2 °C
69 mm rain a month
5.7 h sun a day
Summer
17.8 °C
91 mm rain a month
7.5 h sun a day
Autumn
9.2 °C
70 mm rain a month
3.7 h sun a day
Expect cold, often frosty winters and warmer summers, with rain possible throughout the year. Bring layers and waterproof clothing for everyday travel. Summer offers time by Ebnisee, while autumn brings Fellbach's harvest and wine celebrations (Kaisersbach (opens in a new tab), Fellbacher Herbst (opens in a new tab)).
Culture, language & food
Wine-growing traditions are particularly visible in the Remstal. A Besenwirtschaft is a place to try a grower's own wine alongside Swabian dishes; check its opening calendar before travelling (Remstal Tourismus (opens in a new tab)).
For evenings out, look at specific venues and programmes. Schorndorf's Club Manufaktur hosts rock, pop, electronic music and jazz, alongside talks and the Kleine Fluchten cinema. It offers a concrete starting point for meeting people beyond your course (City of Schorndorf (opens in a new tab)).
Plan to use German for housing enquiries and everyday administration, and ask employers directly whether a role can be done in English. As a practical learning target, aim for B1 for everyday independence and work towards B2 for more demanding conversations; these are recommendations, not universal admission requirements. Swabian dialect is part of the area's linguistic background, including around Waiblingen and Backnang (dialect background (opens in a new tab)).
Local food
Maultaschen
Swabian pasta pockets, traditionally filled with meat, herbs and vegetables; meat-free versions also exist (Schmeck den Süden (opens in a new tab)).
Spätzle
Fresh egg noodles that are a staple of Swabian cooking, served as a side dish or with cheese (Swabian cuisine (opens in a new tab)).
Remstal wine
Try wine made by local growers in a Besenwirtschaft, where it is served with regional food (Remstal Tourismus (opens in a new tab)).
Places & events
Places to see
Waiblingen old town and Rems weir
Old town
The view from Kleine Erleninsel brings together the river weir, Bürgermühle and Nikolauskirche (documented location (opens in a new tab)).
Schorndorf market square
Old town
Visit the central squares for the weekly market, held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with produce, cheese, bread and other foods (City of Schorndorf (opens in a new tab)).
Ebnisee
Lake
A lake surrounded by mixed woodland in the Welzheimer Wald, with summer swimming, rowing and pedal boats (Municipality of Kaisersbach (opens in a new tab)).
STIHL Markenwelt
Museum
The company museum at Waiblingen's Werk 1 explores STIHL and subjects connected with forests and forestry (STIHL (opens in a new tab)).
Events
Backnanger Straßenfest (opens in a new tab)
June
An old-town street festival with music, local associations and food stalls. The confirmed 2026 edition ran from 26 to 29 June (official festival website (opens in a new tab)).
Fellbacher Herbst (opens in a new tab)
Second weekend of October
A harvest and wine festival with a procession, live music and fairground attractions. The city's 2026 programme covered 9–12 October (City of Fellbach (opens in a new tab)).
Schorndorf market square and historic buildings
Ebnisee and its wooded shoreline
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Rems-Murr-Kreis district, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Rems-Murr-Kreis district: FAQ
Is Rems-Murr-Kreis a good place to live as a student?
It is worth considering if your campus or workplace fits the rail network: Waiblingen has quick Stuttgart connections, while Backnang has a direct S4 to Ludwigsburg. Compare the complete journey from a prospective home to your campus before choosing a town (Waiblingen timetable (opens in a new tab), Backnang timetable (opens in a new tab)).
Is there a university in Rems-Murr-Kreis?
Yes. EHIP – Europäische Hochschule für Innovation und Perspektive is based in Backnang. Its regular distance-learning programme is digital and does not require regular campus attendance (EHIP (opens in a new tab)).
How do I get from Backnang to Ludwigsburg for university?
The S4 runs directly from Backnang through Marbach to Ludwigsburg. Published timetable examples take about 33 minutes to Ludwigsburg station; campus travel comes on top (DB timetable (opens in a new tab)).
How expensive is housing in Rems-Murr-Kreis?
Waiblingen's official 2025 rent index reports an average net cold rent of €10.16/m², based on August 2024 rents. This excludes utilities and is not a current student-room asking price (official rent index (opens in a new tab)).
What student jobs can I find in Rems-Murr-Kreis?
STIHL and Kärcher advertise working-student opportunities in the district, including communications, purchasing, certification and digital business functions. Check their continuing careers portals for current openings and requirements (STIHL (opens in a new tab), Kärcher (opens in a new tab)).
Can I use the Deutschlandticket to commute from Rems-Murr-Kreis?
Yes, it covers S-Bahn, local buses and regional trains. The standard subscription costs €63 per month through December 2026; most long-distance services are excluded (VVS (opens in a new tab)).
More guides
Sources & photo credits
Last updated November 2026. Population and area: Destatis. Weather: Deutscher Wetterdienst. Universities and courses: our catalogue. Everything else was researched from the sources below and checked — how we research these guides.
Sources
- Rems-Murr-Kreis geographical background (opens in a new tab)
- EHIP study format and frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab)
- Waiblingen official rent-index information (opens in a new tab)
- Waiblingen Mietspiegel 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- University of Stuttgart regional housing advice (opens in a new tab)
- meinestadt.de Waiblingen shared-room search (opens in a new tab)
- ImmoScout24 Waiblingen shared-room search (opens in a new tab)
- VVS Deutschlandticket prices and validity (opens in a new tab)
- DB Waiblingen timetable (opens in a new tab)
- DB Backnang timetable (opens in a new tab)
- Schorndorf public transport (opens in a new tab)
- VVS airport connections (opens in a new tab)
- STIHL German locations (opens in a new tab)
- STIHL careers portal (opens in a new tab)
- Kärcher student careers portal (opens in a new tab)
- Kärcher apprenticeships and dual study (opens in a new tab)
- Rems-Murr-Kliniken employer and locations (opens in a new tab)
- Remstal winegrowers' taverns (opens in a new tab)
- Schorndorf Club Manufaktur (opens in a new tab)
- Schorndorf weekly market (opens in a new tab)
- Kaisersbach Ebnisee visitor information (opens in a new tab)
- Backnanger Straßenfest official website (opens in a new tab)
- Fellbacher Herbst official information (opens in a new tab)
- Schmeck den Süden: Maultaschen (opens in a new tab)
- Swabian cuisine (opens in a new tab)
- Swabian dialect distribution (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Waiblingen old town photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Schorndorf market square photograph (opens in a new tab)
- Commons: Ebnisee photograph (opens in a new tab)
Photo credits
- Waiblingen's Rems weir, Bürgermühle and Nikolauskirche — Roman Eisele (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schorndorf market square and historic buildings — Oscar 0711 (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ebnisee and its wooded shoreline — Magnusolaus (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0
Ready to find your course in Rems-Murr-Kreis district?
Open the map on Rems-Murr-Kreis district: every university, every course, filtered by degree, subject, language and cost — free.