In the last year ending in October, house rentals rose 5.7%, accelerating compared to the annual growth recorded in the previous month (4.1%). This evolution placed the median cost of renting a house in the country at a new high of 17 euros per square meter (euros/m2) at the end of last month, reveals the idealista price index. The upward trend in rents continues throughout the country, although at different rates between regions, states and capitals.

More expensive rents

The price of houses for rent rose in all 16 capitals and autonomous regions analysed. The largest variations were recorded in Viana do Castelo (21.9%), Faro (19.6%), Santarém (14.8%), Viseu (14.4%), Coimbra (14.2%), Vila Real (14%), Castelo Branco (13.5%) and Leiria (11%).

Cities with increases in the cost of renting housing below double digits include: Ponta Delgada (9.6%), Braga (8%), Setúbal (7.9%), Évora (4.7%), Porto (4.2%), Lisbon (4%), Aveiro (3.6%) and Funchal (3.4%).

Lisbon remains the city where it is most expensive to rent a house, at €22.8/m2, followed by Porto (€18.3/m2), Faro (€15.8/m2) and Funchal (€15.7/m2). Next, Setúbal (€13/m2), Coimbra (€12.7/m2), Évora (€11.8/m2), Aveiro (€11.8/m2) and Ponta Delgada (€11.7/m2) appear. Among the cities with intermediate prices are Braga (€10.3/m2), Viana do Castelo (€9.8/m2), Santarém (€9.5/m2) and Leiria (€8.9/m2).

The most economical cities to rent a house are Viseu (€8/m2), Vila Real (€7.5/m2) and Castelo Branco (€7.5/m2).