A Saturated Market and Rising Rents
In 2024, the average rent in Lyon hit €723 for 32 m², marking a 3.3% increase in just one year, far surpassing inflation. Sure, Paris remains off the charts with its €39/m², but oddly enough, the options there are more accessible. In Lyon, neighborhoods like Presqu'île, Croix-Rousse, and Gerland are seeing their listings disappear in just a few hours.
The city's appeal, often mentioned as a cost-effective alternative to Paris, is working against it. With its dynamic economy, modern infrastructure, and idyllic living conditions, Lyon attracts thousands of newcomers every year... but the housing market isn’t keeping pace.
Young People: The First Victims of This Trend
For students and young professionals, it’s like an obstacle course. Studios, T1s, and small apartments are the targets of fierce competition, where landlords favor the most solid profiles. The result? Rents are skyrocketing. Some are ready...
It's shocking to think that people have to fork out up to 900 € for a studio, a true absurdity for a generation that's already struggling.
As if that wasn’t enough, landlords add even more hurdles: excessive security deposits, sky-high guarantees, and ridiculous demands. Many are left with no choice but to move away from city centers or squeeze into ridiculously small shared accommodations. Another issue is the rise of short-term rentals. By turning residential properties into profitable Airbnbs, landlords further diminish the availability for local residents. Lyon has become a real estate jungle where tourists and locals are vying for every square meter.
Introduced in 2021, rent control was supposed to calm the landlords' enthusiasm... but it remains largely circumvented. 29% of rents exceed the permitted ceilings, according to the Abbé Pierre Foundation. With abusive rent supplements and disguised seasonal leases, tenants are the big losers in this twisted system.
Source: Economie Matin