Ekaterinburg Searching for Rental Apartments Prior to School Year Commencement
The rental market in Yekaterinburg, a million-plus city in Russia, has experienced a significant surge in demand for long-term housing, according to recent data.
In July 2025, the median rent for long-term housing in Yekaterinburg rose by about 2% compared to June, reaching 35,000 rubles. This increase follows a 2.2% rise in June compared to May, with the median rent standing at 34,000 rubles.
These trends are primarily driven by families and students preparing for the upcoming academic term, seeking stable and convenient housing near educational institutions.
Cost and Availability Dynamics
New housing under construction in Russian megacities, including Yekaterinburg, tends to be significantly more expensive than renovated secondary market apartments. This price gap, reported to be an average premium of 19% nationally, encourages many renters to prefer ready-to-move-in options.
Housing Market Environment
The stagnation or rise in the cost of new housing, along with fluctuating mortgage rates that favor older properties, puts pressure on rental demand, particularly from those who cannot afford to buy. This is especially relevant in university cities like Yekaterinburg where students, faculty, and staff require longer leases for the academic year, increasing long-term rental uptake.
Seasonal Academic Cycle
The approach of the school year naturally increases demand for housing rentals that offer stability for nine to ten months, encompassing the full academic calendar. Families moving children to Yekaterinburg’s schools or universities often seek long-term leases rather than short stays, contributing to a rental market surge.
Rental Market Regulations and Services
Broader trends in cities across and outside Russia show increasing regulation and service offerings in the rental market to support tenants, such as long-term contracts with utilities included, parking, cleaning, and internet services. These factors make long-term apartment rentals more attractive and convenient for residents.
Limited Impact of New Housing Costs on Rental Preferences
Since newly built apartments are costly, many potential buyers and long-term renters favor existing apartments for affordability, pushing up demand in the rental segment.
In terms of specific apartment types, one-bedroom apartments in Yekaterinburg can be rented for between 22,000 rubles and 130,000 rubles, while two-bedroom apartments range from 26,000 rubles to 250,000 rubles. Studios can be rented for between 16,000 rubles and 100,000 rubles, and three-bedroom apartments are available for between 35,000 rubles and 280,000 rubles.
More affordable apartments were rented out faster in July 2025, leading to an increase in median rent in most cities, according to Roman Zhukov, head of Yandex.Arent. The supply of long-term rentals in Yekaterinburg has decreased by 7.4% over the month.
Interest in long-term rentals in August and September has also increased, reflecting the continuing demand for stable housing during the academic year.
Analysts attribute these changes in the rental market to the active market season ahead of the school year. Meanwhile, DK.RU reported that Ural builders predict a critical decrease in housing volume, which could further drive demand for long-term rentals in the future.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2]
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