Rotterdam property prices: 30 years of change and 2026 trends

Average price in Rotterdam in 2026, thirty years of change according to the CBS, neighbourhood guide and the costs of buying in the Netherlands.

The Remoters editorial team

Published on

9 September 2024

Updated on

6 October 2026

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In the second quarter of 2026, an existing home sold for an average of €422,154 in Rotterdam, according to the CBS, the Dutch statistics office. Over one year, prices there rose 3.2%, slightly slower than the national average (+4.2%). Rotterdam remains clearly cheaper than the country as a whole: the national average price reached €490,020 in the same quarter, about 14% more.

For the full year 2025, the average price of an existing home sold in Rotterdam was €414,580, up 7.2% over one year, with 8,384 transactions, nearly 19% more than in 2024. The market has therefore recovered volume after the 2023 slump, but price growth is slowing in 2026, as everywhere in the Netherlands.

This page traces thirty years of price changes from official series, gives pointers on neighbourhoods and rents, and sets out what you need to know before buying in Rotterdam.

Thirty years of prices in Rotterdam: the main stages

The CBS series on existing home sales start in 1995. They make it possible to follow the Rotterdam market over three decades.

1995 to 2008: a long rise

In 1995, an existing home sold for an average of €67,793 in Rotterdam. In 2008, the average price reached €190,143, nearly three times as much in thirteen years. The rise was steady, driven by falling rates and easier credit.

2008 to 2013: the correction

After the financial crisis, prices fell. In 2013, the average price dropped to €173,814, about 9% below its 2008 level. This is the low point of the recent period.

2013 to 2022: the big catch-up

From 2014, the rise picked up again and accelerated. In 2022, the average price reached €397,864, or 2.3 times the 2013 level. The years 2017 to 2021 were the strongest, with double-digit annual increases.

2023 to 2026: a brief dip, then a slowing rise

Rising interest rates brought the average price down to €383,652 in 2023 (about 3.6% less than in 2022). The market picked up again as early as 2024 (€402,854), then in 2025 (€414,580). Nationally, the one-year increase peaked at 11.9% in November 2024 and has slowed almost without interruption since: it was only 3.3% in August 2026, according to the CBS. Since 2020, the price index has risen 46% in Rotterdam, against 55% for the Netherlands as a whole.

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Rotterdam's neighbourhoods: a guide

Official price statistics are published at municipality level, not neighbourhood level. The pointers below describe the character and relative price level of each area, without price figures per neighbourhood.

The most sought-after areas

Kralingen: a residential neighbourhood east of the centre, close to Erasmus University and the Kralingse Plas lake. It is one of the most in-demand and most expensive areas.
Centrum: the city centre, with the Markthal and the cube houses. Everything is within walking distance, and both prices and rents are among the highest.
Hillegersberg-Schiebroek: in the north, green and family-friendly, with a village feel.
Kop van Zuid: south of the Nieuwe Maas, contemporary architecture and a neighbourhood in transformation, popular with young professionals.

The mid-range areas

Delfshaven: a historic neighbourhood with canals and an artistic atmosphere, more affordable than the centre.
Blijdorp: family-oriented, with green spaces and good transport links.

The most affordable areas

South of the river, Charlois, Feijenoord and IJsselmonde have the lowest prices and rents in the city. These neighbourhoods are the subject of regeneration programmes. As everywhere, the price depends as much on the street, the condition of the building and the co-ownership as on the name of the neighbourhood: visit at different times of day before you decide.

What if you rent first?

Many newcomers rent before they buy. In the private sector, expect to pay generally between €900 and €1,300 per month for a studio, between €1,250 and €1,700 for a one-bedroom apartment and between €1,400 and €2,200 for two bedrooms, with service charges (water, heating, electricity) on top, often between €100 and €250 per month. The deposit is generally one month's rent for an unfurnished home and two months for a furnished one.

The framework changed in July 2024: the Wet betaalbare huur caps rents for homes whose points score is below the legal threshold, and the Wet vaste huurcontracten makes open-ended leases the rule for new contracts. For any stay of more than four months, registering in the population register (BRP) at the town hall within five days of arrival gives you the BSN number, needed for the bank, insurance and most formalities.

Together we will find your home

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Buying in Rotterdam: steps and costs

How a purchase works

Financing: have your borrowing capacity established before viewings. Without a BSN number or income declared in the Netherlands, getting a loan is harder: ask the banks early.
Search and viewings: the market moves fast. According to the NVM, the federation of real estate agents, a home sold in a median of 28 days in the second quarter of 2026 in the Netherlands.
The offer: it is negotiated, often through an agent. Once an agreement is reached, a sales contract is signed, after which you have a three-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government.
The visit to the notaris: before the keys are handed over, you inspect the home, then the Dutch notary arranges the payment and you sign the transfer deed (leveringsakte) that makes you the owner. Transfer tax is paid to the notary.

Transfer tax (overdrachtsbelasting)

2% of the value if you buy a home to live in yourself long term.
Exemption if you are aged 18 to 34, will live there yourself and the value does not exceed €555,000 in 2026.
8% for a home you will not live in yourself, for example a second home or a property intended for rent.

Points to check

The apartment in co-ownership (VvE): ask for the accounts, the reserve fund and the maintenance plan. Major works that have been voted through can weigh on your budget.
Leasehold land (erfpacht): some homes are built on land you will not own. Check the ground rent and its duration in the deed.
The type of property: nationally, the NVM reports a median price of €410,000 for an apartment in the second quarter of 2026, or €5,673 per square metre of living space. These national levels give an order of magnitude, not a Rotterdam price.

Getting support on the ground

Buying or renting remotely in a city you barely know takes time and viewings. A Remoters home finder based in Rotterdam can search for you according to your budget and target neighbourhood, view properties, put together the application and review the documents before signing. The first conversation and the quote are free.