The increase in housing prices in Iran and the mismatch between incomes and housing costs for a significant portion of the population have made homeownership a distant dream for many people, according to the Shargh newspaper.
According to this media outlet, the high prices of several billion rials even in the southern parts of the city have limited the ability of many people to purchase homes.
The report states that homes under 100 square meters, mostly with one bedroom, are priced at no less than two billion rials.
Shargh emphasized that in the Azari neighborhood of Tehran, a 54-square-meter house built in 2010 with one bedroom is priced at 31 billion rials (approximately 39,000 USD). In the Navab neighborhood, a 39-square-meter house without parking or an elevator is priced at 20 billion rials (approximately 24,700 USD).
Additionally, a house in the Kahrizak area, built in 2018 with two bedrooms, is being sold for 20.5 billion rials (approximately 25,400 USD).
The class gap in Tehran’s housing sector is clearly evident, as in the southern parts of the city, people are unable to purchase homes worth 20 billion rials. However, according to the government-affiliated newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad, the average rental price in northern Tehran, based on the “suggested rent index,” is 630 million rials (approximately 778 USD) per month with a down payment of 11 billion rials (approximately 13,580 USD).
Field research by the government-affiliated newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad indicates that the average rent for listings in District 1 is 750 million rials (approximately 926 USD) per month, with a down payment of 11.15 billion rials (approximately 13,765 USD).
Accordingly, the newspaper reported that the monthly rent in District 3 is approximately 500 million rials (about 618 USD), with the down payment being at the same average level as District 1.
Independent experts and analysts, citing economic statistics and household living conditions, report that a significant portion of the population has exited the circle of housing demand.
In this regard, Khabar Online previously quoted a housing analyst who stated, “The main reason for housing poverty is the outpacing of costs, especially housing costs, over income, and currently, four income deciles have completely lost the ability to buy housing.”
The latest official statistics also show that from 2016 to 2022, over 48% of renters in Iran have fallen below the poverty line.
Moreover, according to statistics, the population living below the poverty line in Iran had reached over 33% by the end of 2022. Many experts believe that considering the inflation of the past two years, the rising currency exchange rates, and the further depreciation of the national currency, the poverty rate has exceeded 50%.
Reports indicate that one of the worst forms of poverty is housing poverty, which has intensified with the price per square meter in Tehran increasing from 56 million rials in March 2018 to 885 million rials in September 2024.
It is worth noting that the minimum wage for a worker with two children is approximately 136 USD per month.
