Finding a reasonably priced home in good condition has become a serious challenge for renters in Cyprus, with data compiled by Phileleftheros showing that rental costs in some cases exceed the average monthly wage.
Figures from the Statistical Service show that 36.5% of workers in Cyprus, both Cypriot and non-Cypriot, earn gross wages below €1,500 a month. A further 39.7% earn between €1,500 and €2,999, while 12.7% earn between €3,000 and €4,499 and 6% earn between €4,500 and €5,999.
According to Numbeo data for April, the estimated monthly cost of living for a family of four in Nicosia, excluding rent, stands at €3,030, against an average net monthly salary of €1,542.
Rents in Nicosia are estimated to be 41.5% lower on average than in Limassol. A one-bedroom flat in Nicosia city centre averages €693 per month, or €593 outside the centre. A three-bedroom flat in the centre averages €1,450, or €1,120 outside it.
In Limassol, Numbeo estimates the monthly cost of living for a family of four at €3,329 excluding rent, with an average net monthly salary of €2,370. A one-bedroom flat in the city centre averages €1,340 per month, or €1,157 outside the centre. A three-bedroom flat in the centre averages €2,350, or €1,760 outside it.
In Larnaca, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four is €2,805 excluding rent, with an average net monthly salary of €1,650. Rents in Larnaca are estimated to be 3.5% higher on average than in Nicosia. A one-bedroom flat in the city centre averages €800, or €620 outside it, while a three-bedroom flat in the centre averages €1,475 and €1,105 outside it.
In Paphos, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four is €2,937 excluding rent, with rents averaging 36.6% higher than in Nicosia. The average net monthly salary stands at €1,659.
A one-bedroom flat in the city centre averages €1,000, or €883 outside it. A three-bedroom flat in the centre averages €1,833 and €1,566 outside it.
Eurozone rents up 2.9% annually
Eurostat figures for 2025 show that actual rents across the EU rose by an average of 3.4%. Within the EU, annual changes ranged from 1% in Finland to 17.6% in Croatia. The sharpest increases were recorded in Greece at 10%, Hungary at 9.8%, Bulgaria at 9.6% and Romania at 8.2%.
Elsewhere, annual rent growth reached 6.1% in the Czech Republic, 5.7% in Latvia, 5.6% in Lithuania, 5.3% in Portugal, 5.1% in both Slovakia and the Netherlands, 4.9% in Estonia, 4.5% in Ireland, 4.3% in both Poland and Austria, 3.8% in Italy and 3.7% in Belgium. The eurozone average stood at 2.9%.
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