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Where is the cheapest and where is the most expensive place to buy an apartment?
Croatia🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/30/2026

Where is the cheapest and where is the most expensive place to buy an apartment?

The article discusses the varying prices of apartments per square meter across European cities, highlighting significant differences in housing costs. It references a report by the Deutsche Bank Research Institute titled 'Mapping the World’s Prices 2026,' which compares prices in 69 cities, including 28 in Europe. The report indicates that Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva are among the most expensive, with prices exceeding 19,000 euros per square meter. London ranks third at 17,241 euros per square meter, while Paris is significantly cheaper at 12,771 euros. Other major cities like Munich, Luxembourg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo also feature in the top ten most expensive cities. The article notes that Prague is more expensive than Madrid and Berlin, and Istanbul is the cheapest European city on the list at 2,646 euros per square meter. The cost of an 80-square-meter apartment varies widely, with some cities below 5,000 euros per square meter.

The cost of buying property varies dramatically across European cities, with some of the world's most expensive real estate markets concentrated in Switzerland and other Western European nations. According to a recent report titled Mapping the World’s Prices 2026 published by the Deutsche Bank Research Institute, the price per square meter for residential properties in 69 global cities was analyzed, including 28 European cities. The findings reveal sharp disparities in housing affordability, particularly in major metropolitan areas. Two Swiss cities, Zurich and Geneva, top the list of the most expensive cities for property purchases in Europe, with prices reaching over €22,000 and €19,439 per square meter respectively. In contrast, Istanbul in Turkey is the cheapest city in Europe, with property prices averaging around €2,646 per square meter. In the top five European cities for property costs, Zurich leads with €22,910 per square meter, followed by Geneva at €19,439. London ranks third at €17,241 per square meter, making it significantly more expensive than Paris, which comes in fourth at €12,771 per square meter. This means that purchasing an 80-square-meter apartment in central London would cost approximately €1.379 million, while the same-sized home in Paris would cost roughly €1.022 million. Vienna rounds out the top five European cities with a price tag of €12,483 per square meter. Other notable cities include Munich in Germany, priced at €11,435 per square meter, and Luxembourg City at €11,011 per square meter. Scandinavian capitals such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo also appear among the ten most expensive cities in Europe, with prices ranging from €9,785 to €10,191 per square meter. Helsinki in Finland is slightly less expensive at €8,431 per square meter, while Milan and Amsterdam follow with prices of €9,378 and €9,273 per square meter respectively. In Central and Eastern Europe, Prague emerges as more expensive than both Madrid and Berlin, with a price of €8,352 per square meter compared to €7,831 in Madrid and €7,613 in Berlin. Rome follows with €7,328 per square meter. Cities like Dublin and Frankfurt remain above the €7,000 mark, while Lisbon and Barcelona fall just below €7,000 per square meter. Brussels, often referred to as the capital of the European Union, has a more affordable market, with property prices averaging €4,380 per square meter. The disparity in housing costs highlights the challenges faced by individuals seeking affordable accommodation in major European cities. While some cities offer relatively lower prices, others present significant financial barriers for potential buyers. For example, an 80-square-meter apartment in Zurich would cost nearly €1.833 million, whereas in Istanbul, the same size home could be purchased for less than €212,000. This wide range underscores the complexity of the European real estate market and the varying degrees of accessibility depending on location. The average price per square meter across all 28 European cities analyzed in the report stands at €9,090. When considering the entire list of 69 global cities, the report reveals that Hong Kong holds the highest property prices globally at €23,790 per square meter, followed by Zurich and Seoul. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Cairo in Egypt and Johannesburg in South Africa have the lowest property prices, with averages of €784 and €913 per square meter respectively. Experts suggest that despite fluctuations in the market, property prices are likely to continue rising due to limited supply and high demand, especially in major urban centers. This trend poses ongoing challenges for individuals and families trying to secure affordable housing solutions across Europe.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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3 reports

tportal logotportalIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 858/30/2026
Where is the cheapest and where is the most expensive place to buy an apartment?

The article discusses the varying prices of apartments per square meter across European cities, highlighting significant differences in housing costs. It references a report by the Deutsche Bank Research Institute titled 'Mapping the World’s Prices 2026,' which compares prices in 69 cities, including 28 in Europe. The report indicates that Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva are among the most expensive, with prices exceeding 19,000 euros per square meter. London ranks third at 17,241 euros per square meter, while Paris is significantly cheaper at 12,771 euros. Other major cities like Munich, Luxembourg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo also feature in the top ten most expensive cities. The article notes that Prague is more expensive than Madrid and Berlin, and Istanbul is the cheapest European city on the list at 2,646 euros per square meter. The cost of an 80-square-meter apartment varies widely, with some cities below 5,000 euros per square meter.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data comparing housing prices across multiple European cities without overtly favoring any particular political ideology. While it highlights economic disparities and regional variations, it does not take a clear stance on policy solutions or political parties. The tone,

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reflects the primary source document, including specific figures for cities like Zurich, London, Paris, and others. It cites the Deutsche Bank Report and provides exact numbers for price per square meter and total costs for an 80m² apartment. It aligns closely with the origina

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting facts without emotional language or bias. It reports the information objectively, focusing on data rather than opinion or interpretation.

N1 Hrvatska logoN1 HrvatskaIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 808/30/2026
These are the most expensive cities in Europe to buy an apartment: Zagreb is nowhere near the top

The article reports on a study by the Institute for Research, Deutsche Bank, which ranks European cities based on the cost of buying an apartment. It highlights that Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva are among the most expensive, with prices significantly higher than other major European capitals like London, Paris, and Berlin. The report notes that London is 35% more expensive than Paris per square meter, while cities such as Prague, Milan, and Amsterdam also rank highly. In contrast, Istanbul and Athens are noted as some of the cheapest cities on the list. The article emphasizes the disparity in housing costs across different European cities.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data from a reputable source (Deutsche Bank) without overtly favoring any particular political stance. It objectively lists and compares housing prices across multiple European cities, providing balanced information without editorializing or promoting a specific ideology

Why factuality (90): The article accurately mirrors the primary source document, citing correct figures for cities like Zurich, London, Paris, and others. It references the Deutsche Bank report and provides detailed pricing data. However, it cuts off mid-sentence, slightly affecting completeness.

Why objectivity (80): The article remains largely objective, though it ends abruptly, which may suggest a lack of full editorial oversight. The tone stays neutral, reporting the data without introducing personal commentary or bias.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) logoHRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija)State / PublicCenterFactual 50Objective 308/29/2026
Vujović: Prices, regardless of the fluctuations, will always go up

The article discusses the ongoing rise in housing prices in Croatia, despite a decrease in the number of property transactions. Borislav Vujović, a representative of the Association of Real Estate Business (HGK), explains that price increases vary depending on location, type of property, and buyer characteristics. In Zagreb, while transaction volume has dropped by 10%, prices have risen more significantly. The disparity is particularly noticeable between major cities and areas historically reliant on foreign buyers, where demand has declined. Vujović notes that while investment-driven buyers exist, many current purchases are aimed at solving housing needs rather than speculation. He argues that high prices are partly due to limited land availability and lengthy construction cycles, which increase costs. Although returns for investors might seem high initially, they are lower when considering all expenses and the time required for projects.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced discussion of housing market trends, including both rising prices and reduced transaction volumes. It includes perspectives from industry representatives and highlights factors such as location, buyer types, and economic conditions without overtly favoring any side. S

Why factuality (50): The article discusses rising property prices and market trends but does not reference the primary source document. It lacks specific numerical data from the report and focuses on general statements rather than precise figures like those in the primary source. It also includes quotes from a represent

Why objectivity (30): The tone is clearly biased towards the idea that property prices will continue to rise, with emotive language such as 'uvijek ići prema gore' (will always go upwards). The article presents a one-sided view of the market without balancing perspectives.

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