Renting housing in Moscow has become 40% more affordable over 20 years

Renting housing in Moscow in 2026 has become more than 40 percent more affordable compared to 2006. This year, a family has to spend from 23 to 43 percent of their income on renting a one-room apartment, while 20 years ago this figure was 43-73 percent, RIA Novosti reports, citing a study by the Vysotsky Estate company.

In 2006, the average income of a Moscow couple was 30-36 thousand rubles per month. By 2026, it increased to 160-216 thousand rubles.

Renting a one-room apartment in an old housing stock 20 years ago cost 15.5-17 thousand rubles per month. Housing in new buildings or high-quality resale houses cost 18-22 thousand rubles.

Currently, one-room apartments in the old stock are rented for 50-55 thousand rubles per month, and in new or high-quality houses - for 62-68 thousand rubles. According to realtors, Moscow families spend 23-34 and 29-43 percent of their budget on renting such housing, respectively.

“Over 20 years, the couple’s income in nominal terms has increased five to six times, rental rates have approximately tripled, and the share of housing costs in the family budget has decreased by more than 40 percent,” said Sergei Smirnov, managing partner of Vysotsky Estate.

According to the expert, the reduction in the relative load is due to an increase in the supply of rental housing and improved transport accessibility of the areas. The development of the metro and MCD has made apartments on the periphery a more attractive alternative to housing in areas located closer to the center.

At the same time, realtors warn that rent may become more expensive in the future. After the key rate is reduced to 10 percent and below, owners of investment apartments can begin to sell properties that are currently on the rental market.