Rents in Bremen are rising rapidly: who can still afford it?

Rents in Bremen are rising rapidly: who can still afford it?

If you take a look at Bremen's housing market, you might think that the city is still an affordable place to live. But the reality is more complex than it seems. According to that Weser courier Rents in Bremen have risen by around 40% in the last ten years, while incomes have only grown by half. The average asking rent for new rentals in 2024 was already 10.59 euros per square meter. For comparison: the national average in 2023 was 10.30 euros. In larger German cities with over 500,000 inhabitants, the average rent is even 13.43 euros.

Over a third of Bremen households are still struggling with high housing costs, which account for more than 30% of their income. The poorest households, which spend over 50% of their income on housing, are particularly affected. But districts like Burglesum and Huchting also show that at least 50% of households here pay too much for their living space. It is remarkable that 58% of households in Woltmershausen are burdened by high rents.

The rental price development was closely examined

A look at the current rent index shows the typical local comparative rents: For apartments up to 40 m², the rents are around 10.20 euros per square meter, while larger apartments over 80 m² are only available at 9.00 euros/m². This price range is a direct result of increased demand caused by an economic boom and population growth. Renovation and modernization measures lead to higher rents, especially in popular districts such as Neustadt and the district.

Although the city of Bremen is planning measures to create new living spaces and promote social housing, the development of rental prices remains to be seen. The Housing cost development report highlights that housing affordability is central to social justice. Single-person households and single parents are particularly hard hit here and have average rent burden rates of 32.7% and more.

The burden of housing costs is influenced not only by income, but also by other factors. Around 11.9% of the German population is affected by housing cost overburden, and the trend is rising. This means that not only the exact rental prices are under scrutiny, but also the diverse social implications that accompany this development.

In order to meet these challenges, proposals for relief are required. The discussion about the preservation of social housing, the construction of trainee dormitories and the simplification of building regulations must be intensified in order to do justice to the urgent situation on the housing market in Bremen.