Immobilien: Bis zu 6,7 Prozent mehr – In diesen Metropolen steigen die Mieten besonders stark

Mietpreise in Deutschland's major cities are moving in different directions. While the rise in rental prices for newly listed apartments has accelerated in some large cities, others show a surprisingly steady development. This is evident from the Greix-Mietpreisindex published Thursday by the Kiel Institute for World Economics (IfW), which evaluates rental listings in 37 German cities and regions.

Nationwide, rental prices rose by 1.2% in the third quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, with a 3.7% increase year-over-year. "After the annual rate hovered around the three percent mark for two quarters, rental price dynamics are now picking up again slightly," says Jonas Zdrzalek, Kiel's resident real estate expert.

Hamburg and Düsseldorf saw the steepest increases, with rental prices increasing by 6.7% and 5.4% respectively over the past year. Munich experienced a 4.8% rise, while Berlin's prices remained relatively stable at only 1.4% above last year's levels. Stuttgart and Leipzig also showed moderate growth of 1.9% each. However, Berlin had a notable trend reversal, with rental prices increasing by 2.1% compared to the second quarter, faster than any other major city. Düsseldorf saw a 2% increase, while Cologne's prices remained flat.

Hamburg continues to have the highest rental price levels, with landlords demanding an average of 23.70 euros per square meter for new listings. This translates to 1,896 euros per month for an 80 square meter apartment. Frankfurt follows at 17.90 euros per square meter, Hamburg at 16.50 euros, and Leipzig is the most affordable at 10.40 euros per square meter.

For those looking for existing apartments, the price increase for existing apartments now outpaces that of new developments. While existing apartments across the country rose by 3.7% year-over-year, new developments only increased by 3.3%. This may be due to limited affordability among tenants, with new apartments often staying listed for 14 days longer than existing ones.

However, this does not necessarily mean better deals for new apartment seekers, as some ultra-expensive listings may offer room for negotiation. Developments outside the major cities are also varied. Bochum saw the fastest increase at 6.3%, followed by Augsburg at 5.6% and Mannheim at 5%. The most affordable rents among the surveyed cities are in Chemnitz at 6.30 euros per square meter, followed by Gelsenkirchen at 7.70 euros and Duisburg and Hamm, both at 8.60 euros each.

However, what matters most for tenants is understanding the numbers: the index measures rental prices for new listings, not existing leases. Those who have been living in their apartments for years often pay significantly less than those looking to move now due to a job change or family formation. This development particularly affects people who need to relocate for work or family reasons.