Residential rents were 4.8% higher in Austria in the first quarter of this year, compared to the corresponding period a year ago, new data from Statistics Austria has found. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, rents were 1.1% higher.
Average rents stood at €10.50 per square metre, or €695.10 per apartment, in the period, the data showed.
Quarterly increase
“At the beginning of 2026, residential rents rose once again,” commented Manuela Lenk, director general statistics at Statistics Austria. “The increase compared with the previous quarter is mainly due to the rise in net rent, while running costs grew only slightly.”
Net rent, excluding running costs, averaged €523.90 per apartment, or €7.90 per square metre, during the first three months of 2026. On a quarterly basis, net rents per square metre increased by 1.3%.
The figures are based on an estimated 1.8 million main rental apartments across Austria and draw on data collected through the Microcensus Housing Survey, which surveys approximately 20,000 households each quarter.
Housing costs varied significantly depending on the type of rental accommodation. Municipal apartments remained the least expensive segment, with average monthly rents including running costs of €516.30, equivalent to €8.50 per square metre. Net rents in municipal housing averaged €348.90 per apartment.
Cooperative apartments recorded average rents of €623.00 per month, or €9.00 per square metre, including running costs. Net rents in this segment averaged €448.40 per apartment.
Private rental costs
Private rental properties remained the most expensive category. Average rents including running costs reached €816.70 per month, or €12.50 per square metre. Excluding running costs, tenants in private rental accommodation paid an average of €647.10 per month, or €9.90 per square metre.
Running costs were relatively similar across all rental segments. Municipal apartments recorded average running costs of €170.70 per month, cooperative apartments €176.10, and private rentals €173.80.
Statistics Austria noted that rent figures include value-added tax and running costs paid to property managers or landlords but exclude heating, hot water and parking-related expenses. Read more here.
