While Anglo-American countries increasingly integrate cost-effectiveness-studies into mental health care, in Germany there is still a basic need for empirical data with regard to the cost of care for the mentally ill. This study assesses the total cost of community mental health care of 66 schizophrenic patients prospectively over the course of 12 months. The comprehensive community care of the patients proved to be 43% of the cost of long-term treatment in a state mental hospital. Rehabilitative need, as well as living conditions and gender, showed significant influence on the total cost of community care.