Rent in Barcelona grows by 14% in a year and by over 50% since 2014

Rent prices in Barcelona are out of control, with a 14% increase in a single year, according to official data published by the Catalan authority Incasòl showing figures of the third quarter of 2022.

Renting a flat in the city cost €1,066.68 on average between July and September, significantly more than the €932.31 in the same period of 2021.

Inflation may have contributed to the peak, yet the increase of prices stood at between 8.5% and 10.3% in the same period.

The upwards trend in housing has been uninterrupted in the past few years, especially in rents.

Indeed, in the third quarter of 2014, renting a flat in the Catalan capital used to cost €701.98 – only eight years later, the figure has increased by 51%.

9.2% year-on-year growth in Catalonia

The situation is similar in Catalonia, with housing prices also skyrocketing. On average, a flat cost €805.69 in the third quarter, around 9.2% more than in the same period of 2021 (€737.51).

Compared to 2014, when the average for the same period stood at €544.82, the growth is 47%.

By regions, rents cost 881.80€ in Barcelona (9.4% more than in the third quarter of 2021), €613.58 in Girona (+8.7%), €558.19 in Tarragona (+12.5%), and €466.64 in Lleida (+4.7%).

Maresme, Baix Llobregat and Vallès Occidental, the most expensive rents

Per municipalities, the metropolitan area – but not the other cities in Barcelona's county, Barcelonès – registered the highest prices, with some towns of Maresme, Baix Llobregat and Vallès Occidental on top.

Sant Vicenç de Montalt (€1,559.02) came first on the rankings, followed by Cabrils (€1,521.73), el Papiol (€1,506.88), Cabrera de Mar (€1,347.50) and Sant Just Desvern (€1,326.37).

Santa Susanna (€1,303.33), Sant Cugat del Vallès (€1,284.94), Alella (€1,200.95), and Sitges (€1,178.61) were also among the most expensive towns.

The counties in the Pyrenees and in the Ebre river delta region are the areas with cheaper rents, with an average of €336.38 in Ribera d'Ebre, €353.67 in Terra Alta, €364.16 in Pallars Jussà and €372.74 in Noguera.