The top of the cities with the most expensive rents and the lowest salaries in Europe. Places where monthly earn does not cover rent

In some European countries and cities, the rent for a bedroom apartments can cost almost the entire salary, and the net monthly earning is not enough to cover the expenses of a home, the Deutsche Bank Research Institute shows.

Euronews Business analyzed, based on the Mapping the World's Prices report, net salaries and rent for a bedroom in European cities to discover the best and worst rent/salary report in Europe, according to Euronews.com.

The Mapping the World's Prices report compares monthly net salaries and rents for a bedroom in the center of 69 cities around the world. Euronews Business followed in detail the 28 European cities included in the report, along with a few more.

Where are the highest salaries in Europe?

In 2025, average monthly net salaries range from only 151 EUR to Cairo to EUR 7,307, with Zurich at 7,127 EUR. Switzerland is thus the country with the highest salaries.

In Europe, Istanbul has the lowest salary, of 855 euros, followed by 1,044 euros in Athens. People in northern cities and western Europe are well paid. Net salaries are over 4,000 euros in Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Frankfurt.

Rome has the lowest average salary between the capitals of the five largest European economies, with 2,046 euros. Madrid is a little above, at 2,193 EUR.

Salaries are significantly higher in Berlin (EUR 3,565), Paris (3,630 EUR) and London (EUR 3,637), with minimal differences between the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Salaries are also raised in US cities.

What European cities do the biggest rents have?

The rents for the apartments with a bedroom in the center of the city varies greatly, from 189 in Cairo to EUR 3,792 in New York.

In Europe, the largest rent is in London, EUR 2,732, while the smallest is in Athens, only 595 EUR.

In Zurich, Dublin, Amsterdam and Geneva, the rents also exceed 2,000 euros, while in Istanbul and Budapest, they remain below 900 euros.

Cities where the salary does not cover the rent

The percentage of the salary spent on rent is a useful measure. It shows how much available income remains after the home payment. The rent-salary ratio varies from 24% in Bangalore to 125% in Cairo.

A 100% report means that the entire salary goes on rent. Any bigger amount means that nothing remains in your pocket or that additional income is needed to cover the rent.

In Europe, the rent-salary ratio differs from 29% in Geneva to 116% in Lisbon. In addition to the Portuguese capital, the report is just over 100% in Istanbul (101%). This means that the average net salary is not enough to pay the rent for an apartment with a bedroom in Lisbon or Istanbul.

Single people have to spend three quarters of rent on rent in London (75%), as well as in Barcelona and Madrid (both at 74%). In Milan, the ratio is also high, 71%.

More than half of the average salary is spent on rent and in several other cities: Rome (65%), Dublin (62%), Athens (57%), Warsaw (56%), Prague (54%and Budapest (52%).

Where is the lowest relationship between rent and salary?

Geneva (29%) is the only European city in which the rent-salary report is below 30%. There are five other European cities in which people spend less than two fifths, or 40%, out of rent. These include Luxembourg and Frankfurt (both by 34%), Zurich and Helsinki (both by 35%) and Vienna (38%).

Among the capitals of the first five European economies, Berlin has the lowest rent/salary report, spending 40% of the average rent. Paris follows the German capital with 45%. London has the highest 75%report, followed by Madrid, with 74%, and Rome, with 65%.

In other large cities, the rent/salary ratio is: Dublin (62%), Athens (57%), Amsterdam (49%), Stockholm (46%), Edinburgh (44%), Copenhagen (43%) and Oslo (42%).

In the global list, other cities where the salary does not cover the rent include Bogota (120%), Mexico City (118%) and São Paulo (102%).

In some cities, while the rent can be paid, there is almost nothing left – Rio de Janeiro (100%), Manila (94%), Buenos Aires (88%) and Mumbai (84%).

The rent-salary report in New York is 81%, being the highest of American cities.

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