Rental prices in Europe 2026: city by city

Comprehensive analysis of the most expensive and most convenient cities

In an increasingly mobile world, choosing where to live in Europe also means looking at the rental prices in Europe 2026. Whether you are moving for work, study or remote working, knowing which cities are the most expensive and which are the most accessible can help you make the right choice.

In this guide you will find updated 2026 figures for the average rent in major European cities, a comparison between North and South, the latest rent trends and practical advice for finding a home.

How the figures in this guide are calculated

The rent figures below are the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre, in euros. They come from Numbeo, which collects data from contributors and official sources over the previous 12 months, and they were consulted in October 2026.

Numbeo data is crowdsourced, so it is best used to compare cities on the same basis, not as an exact quote. The real price of a home depends on the type of apartment, the area, the size and which expenses are included. To describe trends we use official statistics instead: Eurostat for the EU, the ONS for the UK and national sources for Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany.

The figures are useful for:

• Those looking for a home abroad
• International students and workers
• Digital nomads looking for the best European city to live in

Rental prices in Europe 2026: ranking of European cities by average price

Here is how 14 major European cities rank for the average monthly rent of a 1-bedroom apartment in the centre, according to the rental prices in Europe 2026 data:

City	Average rent
Zurich	€2,650
London	€2,546
Geneva	€2,493
Amsterdam	€2,336
Dublin	€2,202
Oslo	€1,816
Copenhagen	€1,770
Milan	€1,527
Barcelona	€1,493
Lisbon	€1,425
Paris	€1,410
Madrid	€1,332
Berlin	€1,321
Rome	€1,080

The top of the table is dominated by Swiss, British, Dutch and Irish cities. Among the Southern European cities, Milan is the most expensive in the table, ahead of Barcelona, Lisbon and Madrid, while Rome is the cheapest of the group. Paris, at €1,410, sits below Milan, Barcelona and Lisbon.

Also discover Europe in our special guides on the topic.

Rental prices in Europe 2026: the most expensive cities in Europe

The cities with the highest rental prices in Europe 2026 are Zurich, London, Geneva, Amsterdam and Dublin. Swiss cities take first and third place, with Zurich at €2,650 and Geneva at €2,493.

London comes second at €2,546. The ONS reports that the average private rent in London was £2,332 in August 2026, up 3.5% on a year earlier, and the capital remains England’s most expensive region.

Amsterdam averages €2,336. Across the Dutch private rental sector, Pararius reports that tenants paid about €20.94 per square metre in the second quarter of 2026, around 5% more than a year earlier.

Dublin averages €2,202, and supply is tight. According to Daft.ie, market rents in Dublin were 6.5% higher in June 2026 than a year before, while the number of homes available to rent fell by 18% over the year, to fewer than 1,150.

The cheapest cities in Europe: where to live for less

For the lowest rental prices in Europe 2026, look towards Eastern Europe and the Balkans. In the Numbeo data, a 1-bedroom apartment in the centre costs less than €900 a month in these cities:

City	Average rent
Bucharest	€613
Sofia	€697
Tallinn	€720
Budapest	€732
Zagreb	€777
Krakow	€826

Southern Europe has bargains too. Palermo averages €658, well below Milan at €1,527. Lisbon, often mentioned as a budget option, averages €1,425 in the centre.

Cheaper does not mean static. Eurostat’s rent index shows that rents in the second quarter of 2026 were 41.2% higher in Romania and 22.1% higher in Croatia than the 2025 average. Data providers in both countries pointed to increases in administered and social rents, so these figures do not translate directly into market rents in Bucharest or Zagreb.

North-South Europe comparison: a less clear-cut gap

Northern cities such as London, Oslo and Copenhagen still have much higher rents than most Southern and Eastern cities: €2,546, €1,816 and €1,770, against €1,332 in Madrid and €1,080 in Rome.

But the picture is not clear-cut. Milan (€1,527), Barcelona (€1,493) and Lisbon (€1,425) are all above Paris (€1,410) and Berlin (€1,321) in the Numbeo data.

Moving away from the centre helps everywhere. In Numbeo’s data, a 1-bedroom apartment outside the centre is roughly 20% to 28% cheaper than in the centre in Zurich, Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin.

Rentals in Europe for students: the best university cities

Studying in Europe is a dream for many, but the cost of rent can be a challenge. Popular university cities include:

• London (€2,546)
• Amsterdam (€2,336)
• Paris (€1,410)
• Berlin (€1,321)
• Lisbon (€1,425)
• Budapest (€732)
• Milan (€1,527)
• Bologna (€1,015)

Students are often required to share rented rooms or rent in outlying areas. Sign up to university waiting lists for controlled-price accommodation or contact specialized platforms such as Spacest.com. For a city-specific guide, read Student Accommodation in Berlin: How Students Can Find Housing in a Competitive Market.

Rental trends in Europe in 2026: increases, decreases and stability

In 2026 rental prices in Europe are still rising, but unevenly:

🔺 Increases: EU rents were 3.0% higher in the second quarter of 2026 than a year earlier, according to Eurostat. Dublin (+6.5% in June), the Dutch private sector (+5% in the second quarter) and London (+3.5% in August) are all running above that pace.

🔽 Decreases: Berlin is the exception among German cities. Asking rents fell 0.8% year on year in the second quarter of 2026 according to the Kiel Institute’s Greix index, while the average of 37 German cities rose 3.0%.

➖ Stability: compared with the 2025 average, rents rose only 0.1% in Estonia and Finland and 1.2% in Luxembourg in the second quarter of 2026.

Renting in London, Paris and Amsterdam: evolving markets

These metropolises remain among the most sought-after, but they are not equally expensive:

🟢 London: €2,546 for a 1-bedroom in the centre, and rents still rising. The ONS reports a 3.5% annual increase in August 2026.

🟢 Paris: €1,410, which puts the French capital 41st among the 243 European cities in the Numbeo ranking, below Milan, Barcelona and Lisbon.

🟢 Amsterdam: €2,336, with Dutch private-sector rents up about 5% year on year in the second quarter of 2026.

👉 In these cities it is essential to move well in advance and have all the required guarantees.

Rentals in Eastern Europe: new housing opportunities

The East still offers the lowest rents in Europe. Among the cities to keep an eye on:

⛪ Bucharest: €613 for a 1-bedroom in the centre, the lowest figure in this guide.

🕍 Sofia: €697, less than half the rent of Milan.

🏰 Krakow: €826, the most expensive of the Eastern cities in this guide but still far below Western capitals.

Rental prices in Europe 2026: cities that cost less than the big capitals

Some cities are becoming practical alternatives to more expensive capitals. In the Numbeo data:

• Valencia, ES: €1,271, about 15% less than Barcelona
• Porto, PT: €1,153, about 19% less than Lisbon
• Bristol, UK: €1,714, about 33% less than London
• Tallinn, EE: €720
• Zagreb, HR: €777

Check the apartments and rooms available in Valencia and Porto if you want a cheaper alternative to Barcelona or Lisbon.

Rentals and remote working: the new digital nomads in Europe

Remote working has changed the market. Many professionals choose cities where:

1. Rental costs are more accessible
2. There is a good internet connection
3. It is possible to live well on an average budget

Popular destinations for digital nomads include:

• Lisbon (€1,425)
• Tbilisi
• Budapest (€732)
• Tallinn (€720)
• Palermo (€658)

Lisbon is the most expensive of the group, while Palermo, Tallinn and Budapest are all well below €800. To compare rents with local salaries, read Salary vs Cost of Living in Europe: Where is it Worth Living Today.

Rental prices in Europe 2026: tips for finding rent, strategies and useful sites

1. Start your search at least 2-3 months before
2. Use reliable portals like Spacest.com
3. Prefer advertisements with contractual specifications
4. Check for included expenses
5. Video call and/or virtual tours if you are abroad
6. Compare the centre with the outskirts, which can cut the bill by a fifth or more

Renting abroad: what to know to avoid scams

• Do not make advance payments without contractual guarantees
• Be wary of prices that are too low for the area you are looking for
• Prefer platforms with payment guarantees
• View the photos of the property carefully
• Check the reviews of the owner or platform

Not sure how to rent without visiting? Read What is the safest way to rent an apartment abroad without visiting?

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about renting in Europe in 2026

What is the most expensive European city to rent?

Zurich, at €2,650 for a 1-bedroom in the centre, followed by London, Geneva and Amsterdam.

Where can I rent for less than €800 per month?

In cities such as Bucharest, Sofia, Tallinn, Budapest and Zagreb. Krakow is close at €826.

Which city is best suited to students?

It depends on your budget. Budapest (€732), Krakow (€826) and Bologna (€1,015) are among the cheapest in this guide, while Berlin (€1,321) and Lisbon (€1,425) cost more.

Where is it best to live if I work remotely?

Budapest, Tallinn and Palermo are the cheapest options in this guide. Valencia (€1,271) and Lisbon (€1,425) cost more, but both stay below Barcelona (€1,493).

What documents are needed to rent in Europe?

Passport, tax code, employment contract or financial guarantee.

Can rent be negotiated in Europe?

Sometimes. It is more realistic in less competitive cities or off-season, and much harder where supply is very tight, such as Dublin, where fewer than 1,150 homes were available to rent in the second quarter of 2026.

In conclusion, choosing where to live in Europe in 2026 requires a clear vision of the rental prices in Europe 2026 and of how they differ from city to city. The cities of the North remain expensive, but the South is not a uniform bargain: Milan, Barcelona and Lisbon cost more than Paris and Berlin, while the East and cities such as Valencia and Porto still offer savings.

Compare, inform yourself and plan carefully. When you are ready, browse furnished apartments and rooms in Milan, Madrid or Barcelona on Spacest.com.