Can you afford to live in Europe? About cities with the most profitable and unprofitable ratio of lease and salaries.
Where in Europe, rental is cheaper than income, and where – housing is almost inaccessible
Euronews Business Analyzed Data on net salaries and the cost of renting two -room apartments in the central regions of European cities to find out how realistic it is to afford to live there.
According to the Eurostat, Housing expenses occupy more and more of the budget of European households. This is especially true for people with low income and those who receive a minimum salary – The increase in rental prices in the center of cities is becoming a serious problem.
In some corners of Europe, the rental cost practically “eats” the entire monthly income. The study of Deutsche Bank confirms: in a number of cities, a regular salary is not enough to pay for the rental of two -room housing in the center.
Where in Europe the highest salaries
As of 2025, a gap in net salaries between the cities is huge: from 151 euros in Cairo (not Europe, but still an indicator in the report) up to more than 7 thousand euros in Geneva and Zurich. Switzerland is expected to lead the level of remuneration.
Among European cities, the worst indicators are in Istanbul (855 euros) and Athens (1044 euros). At the same time, in Northern and Western Europe, average salaries often Exceed 4000 euros – in Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt.
Of the five largest European countries The lowest salary in Rome is 2046 euros. In Madrid A little more – 2193 euros. In Berlin, Paris and London income is already much higher – from 3565 to 3637 euros.
American cities are also standing out: in the five world salary leaders – several cities of the United States at once.
Where in Europe the rent is the most expensive
Renting a two-room apartment in the city center costs from 189 euros in Cairo to almost 3800 euros in New York. Among the European capitals The high cost leader is London (2732 euros), and the most affordable lease is in Athens (595 euros).
Zurich, Geneva, Amsterdam and Dublin are also highly highlighted, where prices exceed 2000 euros. In Istanbul and Budapest, rental rates remain below 900 euros.
Where the rental “eats” the entire salary
The key indicator is the share of the salary going to pay for the rent. In Lisbon and Istanbul, this figure exceeds 100%, that is, even the entire income does not cover the cost of housing.
So, In Lisbon The rent is 116% of the average salary, and In Istanbul – 101%. In London Rent “eats” 75% of the salary, In Barcelona and Madrid – 74%, In Milan – 71%.
More than 50%of income goes to rent in Rome (65%), Dublin (62%), Athens (57%)Warsaw (56%), Prague (54%) and Budapest (52%).
Where the rent “does not bite”
Geneva is the only European city where less than 30% of the salary (29%) takes the rental. In other relatively profitable cities-Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Zurich, Helsinki, Vienna-this figure is held within 34-38%.
Among the “TOP-5” European countries, the most acceptable ratio in Berlin: 40% of income is spent on rent. In Paris – 45%, in London – 75%.
How much money is left after rent
After payment of housing, the residents of Geneva (5174 euros) and Zurich (4638 euros) remains most of all their free funds. More than 2000 euros remain in Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Oslo and Helsinki.
But in Lisbon, after the lease, only 202 euros remain at the disposal. In Istanbul – even less: the average salary does not overcome the rent, there are not enough 13 euros.
According to the OECR report, Housing expenses in large cities are steadily high, and over the past two decades, spending on housing and utilities in Europe has increased significantly.
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