Long-term rental prices in Russia have risen steadily, according to Kommersant, drawing on insights from market experts across the real estate sector. The increases span both one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations, signaling a broader shift in demand and pricing pressure within major urban hubs.
In July, across Russia’s 18 largest regional markets — including Moscow, the Leningrad region, and more than 16 million residents in surrounding cities — the average monthly rent for a one-room apartment stood at 22.5 thousand rubles, while the smaller “kopek piece” segment reached about 33.4 thousand rubles. Data from CIAN.Analitika show rent rises of about 3.3% for one-bedroom units and 3.5% for two-bedroom units versus June. Parallel calculations from Etazhi indicate the typical one-room rental in the 16 biggest cities hovered around 21.3 thousand rubles, with two-bedroom units averaging 25.9 thousand rubles per month and up roughly 0.9% from June. Meanwhile, Avito Nedvizhimost puts the national average for long-term rents in Russia’s largest cities at 25 thousand rubles per month, noting a 13.6% year-over-year increase though little change from June numbers.
Within this landscape, certain markets show sharper accelerations. In Omsk and Nizhny Novgorod, the typical monthly rent for a one-room apartment rose by 8.9% and 9.8%, reaching roughly 18 thousand and 22.2 thousand rubles respectively, according to the CIAN.Analytics breakdown. In the capitals of the two most expensive corridors, St. Petersburg and Moscow, the kopek piece’s price climbed more sharply — up 8.9% to around 46.5 thousand rubles in St. Petersburg and 5.2% to about 76.7 thousand rubles in Moscow. These movements reflect both local demand surges and the varying influence of employment trends, transport access, and neighborhood desirability on rental values.
Analysts point to several catalysts behind the rising rents. Alexey Popov, head of CIAN.Analytics, notes a 19% contraction in rental-supply relative to June, coupled with a gradual shift away from telework as many firms adjust to hybrid or in-office models. This combination tends to push renters toward available units in more central or amenity-rich areas, pushing up prices as competition increases. Konstantin Kamenev, who oversees long-term rentals at Avito Nedvizhimost,Opines that the pricing floor is unlikely to fall soon; he observes a clear preference among many Russians to rent rather than own, given rising purchase costs and tighter mortgage conditions. As a result, demand remains robust even when financing options are constricted, sustaining upward pressure on rents across multiple markets.
Looking at the broader year-to-date trajectory, the supply of rental flats has declined sharply. By some counts, the stock available to tenants has contracted by roughly 37% since the start of the year, a trend that reinforces the market’s price resilience. While mortgage products and credit conditions continue to influence buyer sentiment, more renters are prioritizing flexibility and mobility, further shaping how landlords price and how quickly vacancies are absorbed. The net effect is a market that favors landlords in many major cities while also prompting tenants to consider alternative arrangements, such as shorter-term leases or shared living options, as they balance affordability with location advantages. Analysts emphasize that the dynamics differ markedly from city to city, underscoring the importance of localized data when evaluating rent trends and planning housing strategies. The narrative in the sector remains one of cautious optimism for landlords in high-demand zones, tempered by the reality that macroeconomic factors, including inflation and wage growth, will continue to shape rent trajectories into the coming quarters.
Finally, policy discussions around housing affordability and mortgage accessibility continue to influence expectations. Some observers anticipate reforms or new programs that could provide a mortgage alternative, potentially altering the long-term rental calculus by expanding ownership pathways for households that prefer eventual homeownership but cannot secure immediate financing. In the meantime, renters and landlords alike monitor indicators such as vacancy rates, wage trends, and urban development plans, all of which feed into the evolving price picture across Russia’s major rental markets.