Overview
- The Interhyp/IW Köln affordability index stands at 128 this autumn, higher than in 2023 yet well below the 2015 peak of 221.
- Model households in the upper 30% of incomes spent an average of 29% of disposable net income on financing, under the 35% threshold.
- Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne remain below the 100-point benchmark, with Munich’s burden around 43% of income.
- Rural regions average about 26% of income, highlighting a sharp urban–rural divide; among the seven largest cities, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart are the least expensive relative to incomes.
- Researchers attribute the recent improvement to rising wages and slightly lower interest rates alongside moderate price increases.