Finland rental market shows regional divergence in 2026

In Finland, rental prices for non-subsidized housing rose by 0.1 percent nationwide during the third quarter of 2026. This growth was driven by increases in cities such as Rovaniemi, where rents rose by 2 percent, and Vaasa, which saw a 1.3 percent increase. In contrast, the Helsinki metropolitan area experienced a decline in rents, with the most significant drops occurring in Porvoo (-1.2 percent), Kerava (-1 percent), and Vantaa (-0.9 percent). On average, rents in the capital region fell by 0.3 percent.

Regarding state-subsidized housing, the rate of rent increases has slowed significantly, marking the seventh consecutive quarter of deceleration. Nationally, subsidized rents grew by an average of 1.5 percent compared to the previous year. While growth in subsidized housing remains faster in major urban centers like Turku, Helsinki, and Espoo, it has been slower in cities such as Lahti, Kuopio, Jyväskylä, Vantaa, and Tampere.

Eetu Kauria, chief economist at KOVA ry, noted that the slowing growth in subsidized rents reflects broader interest rate and cost developments, though current figures do not yet fully capture recent geopolitical impacts on energy prices and interest rates.