Romania maintains fourth place in Europe for affordable housing

Romania continues to hold a commendable position as the fourth country in Europe with the most affordable housing, boasting a median price of 1,917 euros per square meter in 2025. Despite this achievement, the average price of homes has surged by 14.4% compared to the previous year, reflecting an active real estate market.

According to the Deloitte Property Index 2026, which analyzed data from major cities in 25 countries, Romania's growth in housing prices is among the highest. Only Croatia (14.3%), Slovakia (12.5%), and Hungary (10.9%) have seen comparable increases. In fact, 19 out of 22 countries for which national data is available reported rising average housing prices.

Interestingly, while Romania offers relatively affordable housing options, the country with the most expensive housing is Luxembourg, with an average price of 9,160 euros per square meter. In contrast, Romania's major cities present a diverse landscape of housing costs, with Cluj-Napoca leading at 3,137 euros per square meter, followed by Bucharest at 2,026 euros and Brașov at 2,156 euros per square meter.

Cities like Bucharest have experienced significant price hikes, with an increase of 15.3% over the last year, while Brașov's prices rose by 13.6%. In Cluj-Napoca, prices grew by 13.2%. This trend indicates a robust demand for housing, even as overall sales have decreased by 10% compared to 2024, suggesting a shift in market activity.

As the housing market evolves, it’s noteworthy that Munich has now dethroned Luxembourg as the most expensive city in Europe, with an average of 11,200 euros per square meter. Meanwhile, the average rental prices in Romania remain competitive, with Bucharest’s average rent at 11.2 euros per square meter, while Cluj-Napoca maintains a steady rent of 10.3 euros.

Looking ahead, experts suggest that the upward trend in housing prices may continue, albeit at a slower pace, due to limited supply in major cities. The current landscape reflects both challenges and opportunities for potential homeowners and investors in Romania's growing real estate market.