Rent Prices in Europe: Which Cities Were the Most Expensive in 2026

Housing remains the largest expense for most European households. New data from Eurostat shows that the difference in the cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment between different European cities is nearly sevenfold: ranging from €470 in Skopje to €3,350 in Geneva. Find out which cities topped the ranking of the most expensive rents, where you can find the most affordable housing, and why prices vary so much

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Housing costs continue to rise across nearly all of Europe, and for many families, rent remains the largest monthly expense. According to Eurostat, housing and utilities account for 23.6% of all household consumer spending in the EU, and in large cities, the burden on renters is often even higher.

A new study covered 40 cities in 38 European countries, including EU member states, candidate countries, EFTA countries, and the United Kingdom. Experts compared the average monthly rent for an unfurnished two-room apartment of good or very good quality (excluding utility bills) using Eurostat’s standardized methodology. The calculations used data from the second half of 2025 and exchange rates as of July 2025.

The results revealed a huge gap between European cities: while the average rent in Geneva reaches €3,350 per month, similar housing in Skopje costs only €470. The difference is more than sevenfold, clearly demonstrating just how heterogeneous the European rental market remains.

In the previous article, we reported on the most expensive cities in the world to live in in 2026, according to Numbeo.

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Where in Europe is it most expensive to rent housing?

New Eurostat data showed that the difference in rental costs between European cities remains enormous. For the study, researchers analyzed the average monthly rent for an unfurnished two-bedroom apartment of good or very good quality in 40 cities across 38 European countries. The sample included EU member states, candidate countries, members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and the United Kingdom.

Geneva (Switzerland) turned out to be the most expensive city in Europe, where the average rent for such housing is €3,350 per month. Although Geneva is not the country’s capital, it outranked all other cities in the ranking due to extremely high housing prices and a consistently high level of household income.

London (United Kingdom) took second place, with an average rent of €3,050 per month. It is the only European city, aside from Geneva, where the rent for a two-bedroom apartment exceeds €3,000.

The top ten also included:

- Dublin, Ireland – €2,650

- Stockholm, Sweden – €2,650

- Oslo, Norway – €2,550

- Paris, France – €2,500

- Copenhagen, Denmark – €2,300

- Luxembourg – €2,250

- Amsterdam, Netherlands – €2,150

- Helsinki, Finland – €2,050

Most of the cities with the highest prices are located in Western and Northern Europe, where high demand for housing is combined with limited supply and high purchasing power among the population.

Average rent for an unfurnished two-room apartment of good or very good quality in 40 European cities. Source: Eurostat / Euronews.

In our previous article, we reported that Spain has been named the best country for real estate investment in Europe for the first time.

In which European cities is it cheapest to rent housing?

At the other end of the ranking are cities in Central and Southeastern Europe, where rental costs remain several times lower than in Western Europe. According to Eurostat, the difference between the most expensive and the most affordable city is more than sevenfold.

The lowest average rent for a two-room apartment was recorded in Skopje (North Macedonia)—just €470 per month. This is nearly seven times cheaper than in Geneva, which topped the ranking.

The cities with the most affordable rents also include:

- Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – €600

- Sofia, Bulgaria – €610

- Podgorica, Montenegro – €650

- Bucharest, Romania – €650

- Budapest, Hungary – €790

- Belgrade, Serbia – €800

- Prague, Czech Republic – €850

- Zagreb, Croatia – €900

- Ljubljana, Slovenia – €1,000

It is telling that even in the largest city on this list—Prague—the average rent is €850, which is nearly four times less than in Geneva and more than three times less than in London.

Eurostat data also reveal a clear geographic trend: the lowest prices are predominantly found in the Balkan region and parts of Central Europe. A lower cost of living, lower demand for housing, and lower income levels directly influence rental prices, which is why the difference compared to Western European cities remains very significant.

In our previous article, we discussed where apartment prices are rising the fastest, how much housing costs in different cities across Hungary, and what to expect from the market.

How do rental prices differ across different regions of Europe?

Eurostat data reveal a clear pattern: renting is most expensive in Western and Northern Europe, while Central and Southeastern Europe offer significantly more affordable prices. Rent prices are influenced by income levels, housing demand, limited supply in major cities, and the overall cost of living.

This difference is most evident when looking at the largest economies in the European Union. Paris is the most expensive city in this group, with an average rent of €2,500 per month. By comparison, a similar apartment in Berlin costs €1,700, in Madrid €1,500, and in Rome €1,250. Thus, rent in the French capital is nearly twice as expensive as in the Italian capital.

Equally telling is a comparison between different regions of the continent. While in Geneva, London, Dublin, or Stockholm, a two-bedroom apartment costs more than €2,600 per month, in many cities across the Balkans, similar housing can be rented for less than €700.

This highlights the significant disparities in the European real estate market, even amid the gradual convergence of economies.

Experts note that when choosing a country to move to or live in long-term, it is important to evaluate not only the absolute cost of rent but also the ratio between housing costs, wage levels, and the overall cost of living. It is these factors that determine how comfortable life will be in a particular European city.

We previously covered the most expensive EU capitals for renting in 2026.

How did Eurostat calculate housing rental costs?

To ensure accurate comparisons between different countries, Eurostat uses a standardized data collection methodology. The ranking analyzed the average monthly rent for an unfurnished two-room apartment of good or very good quality, excluding utility costs from the calculations.

The study covered 40 cities in 38 European countries, including European Union member states, EU candidate countries, members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and the United Kingdom. For countries using national currencies, all figures were converted to euros using official exchange rates as of July 2025.

At the same time, the study’s authors emphasize that the figures presented reflect average rental rates and may vary depending on the city’s neighborhood, the apartment’s size, the condition of the housing, and other factors. Furthermore, the ranking does not take into account wage levels or the population’s purchasing power; therefore, it does not, on its own, indicate how affordable renting is for local residents.

That is why, when planning a move, studying, or a long-term stay abroad, it is important to assess not only the monthly rent but also the overall cost of living, income levels, transportation costs, and other daily expenses. Taken together, these factors provide a much more accurate picture of the actual cost of living in a particular European city.

Buying a home in another country is not only an investment but also a serious legal procedure. Mistakes in documents, unaccounted taxes or restrictions for foreigners can lead to financial losses. Consultation with a real estate lawyer from Visit World will help you to safely complete the transaction, check the seller and avoid hidden risks. Contact the experts to make your real estate purchase abroad as transparent and secure as possible.

We remind you! The Cypriot parliament is considering draft laws that could significantly change the conditions for buying real estate for citizens of countries outside the European Union. The initiatives include quantitative limits on properties, geographical bans and transparency requirements for transactions. Read more about the proposed restrictions, foreign purchases statistics and how to prepare for possible changes in the Cyprus real estate market.

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