Finding a home at a reasonable price in Cyprus is becoming increasingly difficult, with rents continuing to absorb a growing share of household income, especially for low-income earners.

According to data presented by Philenews, an average salary for many households must now cover rent or a mortgage payment first, before electricity, food and other essential expenses are even taken into account.

In some cases, rental costs appear to exceed what an average earner can realistically afford, the figures showed.

Figures from the statistical service (Cystat) show that 36.5 per cent of employees in Cyprus, both Cypriots and non-Cypriots, earn less than €1,500 gross per month, while 39.7 per cent receive between €1,500 and €2,999.  

Another 12.7 per cent earn between €3,000 and €4,499, and 6 per cent receive between €4,500 and €5,999. 

April data cited by Philenews, which were derived from cost-of-living database Numbeo, point to a clear mismatch between wages and housing costs in the island’s main cities.

In Nicosia, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four stands at €3,030 excluding rent, while the average monthly net salary is estimated at €1,542.  

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is put at €693 in the city centre and €593 outside it. For a three-bedroom apartment, the average rises to €1,450 in the city centre and €1,120 outside the centre. Numbeo also estimates that rents in Nicosia are 41.5 per cent lower than in Limassol. 

In Limassol, where housing remains the most expensive, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four reaches €3,329.4 excluding rent, while the average monthly net salary is put at €2,370.  

A one-bedroom apartment costs an average of €1,340 in the city centre and €1,157 outside it, while a three-bedroom apartment averages €2,350 in the centre and €1,760 outside it. 

In Larnaca, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four is €2,805 excluding rent, with the average monthly net salary estimated at €1,650.  

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment stands at €800 in the city centre and €620 outside it. A three-bedroom apartment is estimated at €1,475 in the centre and €1,105 outside the centre.  

According to the same data, rents in Larnaca are on average 3.5 per cent higher than in Nicosia. 

In Paphos, the estimated monthly cost for a family of four reaches €2,937 excluding rent, while the average monthly net salary is estimated at €1,659.  

Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment stands at €1,000 in the city centre and €883 outside it. For a three-bedroom apartment, the average is €1,833 in the city centre and €1,566 outside it. Numbeo’s figures suggest the cost of living in Paphos is 36.6 per cent higher than in Nicosia. 

The pressure is not limited to Cyprus. Eurostat data show that residential rents in the eurozone rose by 2.9 per cent year-on-year in 2025, while the increase across the EU stood at 3.4 per cent. 

Across the bloc, the average change in real residential rents ranged from 1 per cent in Finland to 17.6 per cent in Croatia. Annual rent increases were also high in Greece at 10 per cent, Hungary at 9.8 per cent, Bulgaria at 9.6 per cent and Romania at 8.2 per cent. 

Elsewhere, annual increases reached 6.1 per cent in the Czech Republic, 5.7 per cent in Latvia, 5.6 per cent in Lithuania, 5.3 per cent in Portugal, and 5.1 per cent in both Slovakia and the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, growth hit 4.9 per cent in Estonia, 4.5 per cent in Ireland, 4.3 per cent in both Poland and Austria, 3.8 per cent in Italy and 3.7 per cent in Belgium.