dilemma where to move to for my Masters

Hi everyone, I'm facing a difficult decision and would love to hear external perspectives. Here's the situation:

About me:

• 25/26, just completed my BA in Sociology (grade 2.0)
• Just came from Vienna (1 semester of Master's there, didn't finish) – want to re-establish myself in Germany
• Have two Master's acceptances: Stuttgart EPSF and Augsburg Social Sciences: Conflicts in Politics and Society (starting WS 2026/27)

Financial Situation:

• Work-student position offer, Community Management, 20 h/week (flexible hours), ~€17/h net approx. €1,340/month, completely remote (no commuting)
• BAföG: Likely maximum rate (~€850–992) because both parents were not employed in 2024 – but not guaranteed, won't know until September/October
• Savings: currently very tight
• Budget for rent: max. €600 warm (with fitted kitchen)

The Problem:
In Stuttgart I can't find anything under €800 with fitted kitchen and S-Bahn connection. With €1,340 work-student net + potentially BAföG, €800 rent is damn tight (~60% of income). I'd be cutting it close between rent and living expenses.

In Augsburg: €500–700 for similar apartments – easily manageable.

Arguments for Stuttgart:

• Study program better for my career: EPSF is methodologically broader (qual + quant), opens more professional doors (research, NGOs, associations, survey institutes)
• Location: I currently live in Bavaria (near Ulm), Stuttgart is reachable, Augsburg would mean living closer to my father (no contact since 2021 – want to avoid that)
• Putting down roots: After the Vienna experience (isolated, wrong choice) I want a place where I can build a foundation
• Remote job fits: With BR's remote job I could technically study in Augsburg, BUT the Augsburg programs have very high in-person requirements (from what I researched) – that would conflict

Arguments for Augsburg:

• Rent: €200–300/month cheaper = real financial security
• Study program fits better academically: Explicitly qualitative (my preference), health sociology & conflict focus (my interests), mandatory 8-week internship (Stuttgart only 4)
• Less quantitative stress: Stuttgart has a statistics exam (180 min) that goes against the grain. Augsburg uses essays/portfolios (I like writing, hate math)
• Less dependent on BAföG: With €500–700 rent I'm okay even without BAföG approval; with Stuttgart's €800 I'm screwed if BAföG falls through

The Core Dilemma:

• Stuttgart = financially risky, but emotionally/professionally fitting -> closer to my partner and friends
• Augsburg = financial security, but academically not as ideal + personally disadvantageous (too close to father I want to avoid) + very in-person heavy (conflicts with remote job?)
• Deadline: Need to decide on study location + housing by end of August

My questions for you:

1. Am I crazy for accepting €200/month extra financial burden for the "better" location?
2. How realistic is it to work 20 h/week remote + complete a full Master's (does the combo actually work?)?
3. Which university is "better"?
4. Augsburg–academically better + cheaper – so why does it feel wrong?

Edit: Yes, I'm aware I'm privileged to have acceptances. Still, the decision feels stuck because both options have trade-offs I can't weigh.

Edit 2: Some asked about BAföG – yes, I already applied (got it during my BA), but won't have a decision until early/mid-October. That's why I have to plan now with "likely maximum rate" but can't plan with certainty.