Despite stable demand, rents across Austria continue to climb. Here’s where housing is most expensive – and what’s driving the trend. If you’re looking for a rental apartment in Austria right now, you’ve probably noticed: prices are climbing fast. For the first time, average gross rents have crossed €20 per square metre in not just one, but three federal states. A new analysis from real estate platform ImmoScout24 shows that average asking rents rose by 4 percent in the first quarter of 2025, bringing the national median to €14.90 per square metre. That may sound manageable at first glance – but regional differences are significant, and for many people in cities like Vienna and Innsbruck, rent hikes are becoming harder to ignore.
Western Austria is now officially the most expensive region for renters. Tyrol tops the list with a new average of €20.74 per square metre – a 5 percent increase from last year. Not far behind is Vienna at €20.42, up 9 percent year-on-year, and Salzburg at €20.25, which saw the sharpest increase of all at 13 percent. Also climbing is Vorarlberg, with a median rent of €19.05 per square metre – well above the national average.
So what does this mean in practice? If you’re renting a modest 50m² apartment in Vienna, for example, you could be paying over €1,000 in gross rent per month – before even factoring in heating and electricity.
If you’re looking to escape the rising costs, heading east or south might help. According to ImmoScout24 data, the most affordable states in the first quarter of 2025 were Upper Austria (€12.01), Styria (€12.41), and Lower Austria (€12.44). Burgenland and Carinthia also came in below the €14 mark. These price differences can translate into hundreds of euros saved each month, particularly for families or those seeking larger flats. But supply in these regions can still be limited, especially near urban centres.
ImmoScout24 notes that while interest in homeownership is beginning to rise again, demand for rental apartments is slightly declining. That might sound like a sign that rents should stabilize or even fall – but that’s not what’s happening. “The situation for those looking for a rental property remains tense because demand continues to meet fewer available apartments,” said Markus Dejmek, Austria head of ImmoScout24. In other words, even if demand isn’t growing, it’s still higher than the available supply. And because this analysis is based on listings, not signed contracts, it reflects what landlords are currently asking for, rather than what tenants may successfully negotiate.
The figures in the report refer to gross rents, which include base rent plus operating expenses (such as building maintenance and waste disposal). However, they do not include heating and electricity. Depending on how energy-efficient a building is, or how old the heating system may be, those extra costs can easily add €100 to €200 to your monthly budget.
That depends on your priorities. Major cities like Vienna and Salzburg still offer many advantages: excellent public transport, cultural activities, access to jobs, and large student populations. But if you’re struggling with housing costs, it might be worth considering more affordable districts within commuting distance – or even looking into homeownership options, especially with interest rates expected to stabilise. ImmoScout24’s analysis covered around 117,000 apartment listings from Q1 2023 to Q1 2025 and used the median price to avoid being skewed by extreme outliers.
Here’s a quick breakdown of average rental prices per square metre by federal state:
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By Proptechbuzz
By Ravi Kumar
