How much does a house cost on the outskirts of big cities and where are the most expensive and cheapest
The real estate market in the peri-urban area of the big cities in Romania has become one of the most dynamic in recent years, with prices that, in some cases, even exceed the level in the big cities. Depending on the city, the distance from the center and the level of development of the infrastructure, the price differences can vary significantly, from below 1,200 euros/useful square meter to over 2,600 euros/useful square meter.
Some houses on the outskirts of the city are more expensive than in the city. Archive photo
The market of houses in the peri-urban area shows a clear polarization: Cluj and Bucharest lead by far in terms of prices, with values that sometimes exceed 2,600–3,000 euros/sqm, while in the less developed areas around Constanta or Iași you can find homes at half the price or even less.
The differences are mainly generated by infrastructure, high demand and accelerated urban sprawl, which is gradually turning many communes into real suburbs of big cities.
The most expensive peri-urban areas: Bucharest and Cluj lead the ranking
In the national top of the most expensive localities where you can buy a house are the areas around Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov and Timișoara.
The most expensive town in Romania is Ștefăneştii de Jos (Ilfov county), located approximately 15 km from the capital, where the average price reaches 2,681 euros/useful square meter. In second place is Feleacu, near Cluj-Napoca, with 2,635 euros/square meter, followed by Voluntari (2,307 euros/square meter), Dumbrăvița (2,169 euros/square meter), Florești (2,017 euros/square meter), Corbeanca (2,007 euros/square meter) and Cristian (2,000 euros/square meter).
“We see a clear preference of families with children, a trend triggered by the pandemic that has now become a lifestyle choice“, explains Daniel Crainic, Imobiliare.ro marketing director, who points out that the prices in the peri-urban areas have become comparable to large apartments in the cities.
Bucharest: suburbs more expensive than the capital
In the Capital area, the average price of houses in the city is approximately 2,316 euros/useful square meter, while in the peri-urban the average is 1,723 euros/useful square meter. However, certain localities surpass Bucharest.
The most expensive example is Ștefănești de Jos, where the offer is limited and oriented towards the premium segment. Voluntari and Corbeanca follow, both with prices over 2,000 euros/useful square meter.
At the opposite pole, the most affordable areas are Măgurele (1,346 euro/sq m), Berceni (1,392 euro/sq m) and Bragadiru (1,430 euro/sq m). The commune of Berceni stands out for its large offer of housing, being one of the most active residential markets around the capital.
Cluj-Napoca: the most expensive real estate market in Romania
Cluj-Napoca remains the city with the highest prices for houses, with an average of 3,454 euros/useful square meter, with an annual increase of approximately 6%.
In the peri-urban area, Feleacu is the most expensive locality, followed by Florești, where prices exceed 2,000 euros/useful square meter, but have registered slight recent decreases. Apahida is one of the most affordable options, with approximately 1,785 euros/useful square meter.
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Florești stands out for its extensive offer, similar to Popești-Leordeni in the Bucharest area, practically becoming an urban extension of Cluj.
Timisoara: Dumbrăvița, the most expensive suburb
In Timișoara, the average house price is approximately 1,987 euros/useful square meter. On the other hand, in Dumbrăvița, one of the most developed suburbs in the country, prices exceed 2,100 euros/useful square meter.
It is followed by Ghiroda (1,875 euros/sqm) and Giroc (1,822 euros/sqm). The cheapest houses in the area can be found in Bucovăț, where the average price is 1,438 euros/sqm.
Moșnița Nouă has one of the largest offers of housing in the Timisoara area, with an average price of 1,698 euros/sqm.
Brașov: Cristian, the most expensive peri-urban locality
In Brașov, the average house price is 2,203 euros/useful square meter. In the peri-urban area, Cristian is the most expensive locality, with 2,000 euros/useful square meter.
Sânpetru has the largest offer of houses, with an average price of 1,893 euros/sqm, while Tărlungeni offers some of the lowest prices in the area, at 1,643 euros/sqm.
Other options include Săcele (1,797 euros/sqm) and Râșnov (1,737 euros/sqm), considered more affordable for buyers.
Iasi: big differences between localities
In Iași, the average price of houses is 1,832 euros/useful square meter. In Rediu, prices are the highest in the peri-urban area, at 1,722 euros/sqm.
Valea Lupului, where the largest offer is found, has an average price of 1,670 euros/sqm, and Lunca Cetății is the most affordable area, with 1,505 euros/sqm.
Constanta: the most affordable houses around the city
In Constanța, the average price is 1,875 euros/useful square meter, but in the nearby communes the values drop significantly.
Lumina and Agigea offer the cheapest homes, under 1,200 euros/useful square meter. On the other hand, in Ovidiu, prices are higher, at 1,532 euros/sqm, the locality becoming an increasingly sought-after suburb.
