Cities in the United States dominate the list of cities with the highest rents worldwide. New York was ranked as the most expensive city to rent in, ahead of San Francisco, with an index score of ***. Boston followed in third.

Amsterdam is set to maintain its position as Europe's most expensive city for apartment rentals in 2025, with median costs reaching 2,500 euros per month for a furnished unit. This figure is double the rent in Prague and significantly higher than other major European capitals like Paris, Berlin, and Madrid. The stark difference in rental costs across European cities reflects broader economic trends, housing policies, and the complex interplay between supply and demand in urban centers. Factors driving rental costs across Europe The disparity in rental prices across European cities can be attributed to various factors. In countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, a higher proportion of the population lives in rental housing. This trend contributes to increased demand and potentially higher living costs in these nations. Conversely, many Eastern and Southern European countries have homeownership rates exceeding 90 percent, which may help keep rental prices lower in those regions. Housing affordability and market dynamics The relationship between housing prices and rental rates varies significantly across Europe. As of 2024, countries like Turkey, Iceland, Portugal, and Hungary had the highest house price to rent ratio indices. This indicates a widening gap between property values and rental costs since 2015. The affordability of homeownership versus renting differs greatly among European nations, with some countries experiencing rapid increases in property values that outpace rental growth. These market dynamics influence rental costs and contribute to the diverse rental landscape observed across European cities.

This statistic shows the average monthly rent for one bedroom apartment in selected cities around the world in 2016. In that year, the average monthly rent in London amounted to ***** U.S. dollars.

Cost of living indices are relative to New York City (NYC) which means that for New York City, each index should be 100. If another city has, for example, rent index of 120, it means that on an average in that city rents are 20% more expensive than in New York City. If a city has rent index of 70, that means on an average in that city rents are 30% less expensive than in New York City.

Cost of Living Index (Excl. Rent) is a relative indicator of consumer goods prices, including groceries, restaurants, transportation and utilities. Cost of Living Index doesn't include accommodation expenses such as rent or mortgage. If a city has a Cost of Living Index of 120, it means Numbeo estimates it is 20% more expensive than New York (excluding rent).

Rent Index is an estimation of prices of renting apartments in the city compared to New York City. If Rent index is 80, Numbeo estimates that price of rents in that city is on an average 20% less than the price in New York.

Groceries Index is an estimation of grocery prices in the city compared to New York City. To calculate this section, Numbeo uses weights of items in the "Markets" section for each city.

Restaurants Index is a comparison of prices of meals and drinks in restaurants and bars compared to NYC.

Cost of Living Plus Rent Index is an estimation of consumer goods prices including rent comparing to New York City.

Local Purchasing Power shows relative purchasing power in buying goods and services in a given city for the average wage in that city. If domestic purchasing power is 40, this means that the inhabitants of that city with the average salary can afford to buy on an average 60% less goods and services than New York City residents with an average salary.

Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Shizuoka City data was reported at 98.600 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 98.700 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Shizuoka City data is updated monthly, averaging 98.800 2020=100 from Jan 1970 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 663 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.800 2020=100 in Apr 1999 and a record low of 36.300 2020=100 in Mar 1970. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Shizuoka City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I032: Consumer Price Index: Housing Rent: City: 2020=100.

Correction coefficients are used to ensure equality of purchasing power of salaries of EU officials in the different duty stations. They are calculated as the ratio between the “economic parity” and the exchange rate to the Euro (where applicable). They operate as a percentage adjustment to remuneration expressed in local currency.

The method used to establish economic parities is to compare the price of a basket of goods and services purchased by the average retired international official in Belgium with the price of an equivalent basket of goods and services purchased by the average retired international official in each of the other countries.

The rent paid for an apartment or house, due to its high weight in the total household expenditure structure, plays a significant role in determining the overall correction coefficient.

Consequently, specific rent surveys are carried out annually in cooperation with relevant real estate agencies. The information obtained, and that derived from similar surveys in previous years, is used to determine the difference in rental prices between Brussels and each of the other locations where the survey is carried out, in rental prices for the same type of dwelling.

The scope of these surveys is to compare the average market rent for some specific kinds of dwellings in some pre-specified representative areas of Brussels with similar dwellings in similar (representative and comparable) areas in other EU capitals and duty stations.

The estate agency rent surveys (EARS) are organised jointly by Eurostat, the International Service for Remunerations and Pensions (ISRP) of the Co-ordinated Organisations and national statistical institutes (NSI) in each duty station, including Brussels, with the collaboration of estate agents in the duty stations concerned.

The work is done in accordance with a methodology approved by the Expert Working Group on Articles 64 & 65 of the Staff Regulations.
Whilst this rent information is collected for a specific purpose, according to a specific methodology, it may also be relevant for other purposes.

Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Chiba data was reported at 100.900 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 100.900 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Chiba data is updated monthly, averaging 100.600 2020=100 from Jan 1970 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 663 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 109.300 2020=100 in Jun 2000 and a record low of 33.000 2020=100 in Feb 1970. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Chiba data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I032: Consumer Price Index: Housing Rent: City: 2020=100.

This statistic shows the average rent for an unfurnished 3-room apartment in selected cities around the world in 2015. In 2015, the average rent for an unfurnished 3-room apartment in New York amounted to ***** US dollars.

Germany Commercial Property Market Index: 127 Cities: Average City Centre Office Rent data was reported at 114.360 1990=100 in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 107.870 1990=100 for 2018. Germany Commercial Property Market Index: 127 Cities: Average City Centre Office Rent data is updated yearly, averaging 89.865 1990=100 from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 114.360 1990=100 in 2019 and a record low of 79.810 1990=100 in 2005. Germany Commercial Property Market Index: 127 Cities: Average City Centre Office Rent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bulwiengesa AG. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.EB004: Property Market Index.

Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Fukuoka City data was reported at 99.500 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 99.500 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Fukuoka City data is updated monthly, averaging 98.500 2020=100 from Jan 1970 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 663 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 106.300 2020=100 in Oct 2008 and a record low of 33.400 2020=100 in Jan 1970. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Fukuoka City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I032: Consumer Price Index: Housing Rent: City: 2020=100.

Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Miyazaki data was reported at 102.900 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 102.900 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Miyazaki data is updated monthly, averaging 100.200 2020=100 from Jan 1970 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 663 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 114.200 2020=100 in Aug 1998 and a record low of 30.900 2020=100 in Jan 1970. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Miyazaki data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I032: Consumer Price Index: Housing Rent: City: 2020=100.

Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Rehovot data was reported at 4,568.300 ILS in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 4,507.600 ILS for Sep 2024. Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Rehovot data is updated quarterly, averaging 3,843.350 ILS from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,568.300 ILS in Dec 2024 and a record low of 3,380.675 ILS in Mar 2017. Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Rehovot data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.EB009: Average Rental Price: Dwellings.

Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Netanya: 2.5 to 3 rooms data was reported at 3,898.100 ILS in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,865.200 ILS for Sep 2024. Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Netanya: 2.5 to 3 rooms data is updated quarterly, averaging 3,331.400 ILS from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,898.100 ILS in Dec 2024 and a record low of 3,034.995 ILS in Mar 2017. Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Netanya: 2.5 to 3 rooms data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.EB009: Average Rental Price: Dwellings.

Turkey, Russia, Portugal, and Latvia were the countries with the highest house price-to-rent-ratio in the ranking in the second quarter of 2024. In all three countries, the ratio exceeded *** index points, meaning that house price growth had outpaced rents by over ** percent between 2015 and 2024. What does the house-price-to-rent ratio show? The house-price-to-rent-ratio measures the evolution of house prices compared to rents. It is generally calculated by dividing the median house price by the median annual rent. In this statistic, the values have been normalized with 100 equaling the 2015 ratio. Consequentially, a value under 100 means that rental rates have risen more than house prices. When all OECD countries are considered as a whole, the gap between house prices and rents was wider than in the Euro area. Measures of housing affordability The national house-price-to-rent ratio may not fully reflect the cost of housing in a particular country, as it does not capture the price variations that can exist between different regions. It also does not take into consideration the relationship between incomes and housing costs, which is measured by the house-price-to-income and household-rent-to-income ratios. Taking both these factors into account uncovers vast differences in housing affordability between different regions and different professions.

Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Nagasaki data was reported at 101.700 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 101.700 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Nagasaki data is updated monthly, averaging 86.100 2020=100 from Jan 1970 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 663 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 102.300 2020=100 in Dec 2022 and a record low of 20.700 2020=100 in Jan 1970. Consumer Price Index: Housing: Rent: Nagasaki data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I032: Consumer Price Index: Housing Rent: City: 2020=100.

United States Median Asking Monthly Rent data was reported at 1,003.000 USD in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 951.000 USD for Jun 2018. United States Median Asking Monthly Rent data is updated quarterly, averaging 588.000 USD from Mar 1988 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 123 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,003.000 USD in Sep 2018 and a record low of 330.000 USD in Mar 1988. United States Median Asking Monthly Rent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.EB009: Median Asking Monthly Rent.

United States Median Asking Monthly Rent: North East data was reported at 1,210.000 USD in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,134.000 USD for Jun 2018. United States Median Asking Monthly Rent: North East data is updated quarterly, averaging 678.000 USD from Mar 1988 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 123 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,279.000 USD in Mar 2018 and a record low of 406.000 USD in Jun 1988. United States Median Asking Monthly Rent: North East data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.EB009: Median Asking Monthly Rent.

In 2023, the average price per square meter for rental apartments in France was the highest in Paris. In the French capital, the average price per square meter for rental flats reached almost ** euros, compared to ** euros in the second-largest French city, Marseille. Not only is Paris the most expensive city in France for renting an accommodation, it is also one of the most expensive in Europe.
Paris housing crisis The Paris region is the most populated area of France. It is also the most densely populated region of the country. In a very centralized country like France, the capital appears to be the center of the majority of economic and cultural activities, as well as the home of an important number of universities. Finding accommodation is becoming more and more difficult in a city which also attracts millions of tourists every year. The average cost of an apartment in Paris amounted to more than 10,000 euros per square meter, compared to nearly ***** euros per square meter in the French second-largest agglomeration: Lyon. The consequences of high prices in housing In Paris, renting a two-bedroom apartment costed more than ***** US dollars in 2018, making the city one of the most expensive worldwide. To cope with this price boom, residents of the Paris metropolitan area often live in one of the many suburbs of the city. Furthermore, the pollution of the French capital, as well as its traffic jams and congested public transports, often lead Parisians to change their lives and move elsewhere after a few years. In 2015, Bordeaux was named most attractive city to live in France. Paris was only ranked eighth.

In December 2023, the average rent per square meter of an apartment in the first arrondissement of Paris amounted to ** euros. This arrondissement, situated in the center of the French capital, is the smallest by area and yet, one of the most expensive ones for renters. Paris appears to have some of the highest rents in Europe. The housing crisis in France Although France had the highest number of completed housing units per 1,000 citizens in Europe in 2022, demand in the capital far outweighs supply. The lack of affordable housing for purchase increases competition in the rental market, leading to rents soaring in the past decade. Residential prices in capital cities in Europe are usually higher than the national average, but in France, this trend is even more pronounced. In 2022, homebuyers in Paris paid more than three times higher than the national average - a price gap only Lisbon comes close to. The cost of living in the French capital Paris counts some of the world’s most incredible historical sites, as well as a vibrant culture. But living in the City of Lights is becoming more expensive every year. In 2019, The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide named Paris the second city with the highest cost of living worldwide. Even though the average cost for public transport is surprisingly low in Paris, compared to other European cities, real estate prices and the costs of food or entertainment can make Parisian life less romantic than expected.

Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Tel Aviv data was reported at 7,116.600 ILS in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 7,049.600 ILS for Sep 2024. Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Tel Aviv data is updated quarterly, averaging 5,952.500 ILS from Mar 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,116.600 ILS in Dec 2024 and a record low of 5,300.865 ILS in Mar 2017. Israel Rental Prices: Avg: Tel Aviv data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.EB009: Average Rental Price: Dwellings.