Hungarian university towns see up to 5% summer rent rise

University cities in Hungary are expected to see a modest rent increase of 1‑5% during the summer months after the announcement of university admission thresholds, according to analysts from MBH Jelzálogbank and Otthon Centrum. MBH Index data show that rents in Budapest’s central districts have more than doubled over the past five years, with the Magdolna district seeing price growth of over 500%. In regional university towns, prices rose 19‑28% in the last year, making Debrecen the most expensive outside the capital.

Duna House warns that the biggest pressure on the sub‑let market will hit between mid‑August and early September, but notes the overall pace of rent growth has slowed to around 5% nationally, compared with double‑digit spikes last year. The Otthon Start program, which helped first‑time buyers purchase homes, continues to dampen demand for rentals. Balogh László of ingatlan.com observes that average rent for a one‑room flat in Budapest is about HUF 110,000, while larger apartments have seen only slight price adjustments.

Overall, the market remains tight, with a surge of 75,000 rental inquiries recorded in early July, but the combination of slower price growth and increased home‑ownership incentives suggests a more restrained rental season ahead.