Student Housing Report 2026: Rents for students continue to rise

There was no sign of any relief on the German housing market for students in the first half of 2026. The quality-adjusted rents for student housing rose by an average of 2.6 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the 2026 student housing report from the financial service provider MLP and the German Economic Institute.

Over three years, the increase averaged 4.0 percent per year. Small apartments rose in price the most. Apartments under 40 square meters increased by 3.5 percent within a year, shared apartment rents increased by 2.3 percent, and furnished temporary apartments increased by 2.0 percent.

Housing remains the most expensive in Munich

According to the evaluation, there are big differences in rental costs at the individual university locations. The most expensive apartment this year is once again in Munich with an average of around 880 euros per month, followed by Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne as well as Hamburg and Heidelberg with around 700 to 720 euros. Chemnitz is the cheapest at around 280 euros. The range for a shared room also ranges from around 850 euros in Munich to around 220 euros in Chemnitz.

According to the report, the highest increases in the last three years were recorded in Hamburg and Saarbrücken, each with 5.8 percent, and Bochum with 5.5 percent per year.