Bologna, August 18, 2026 – The average price for a rental in the city is starting to decrease. Not in a specific area, but in all of Bologna. From the center to Borgo Panigale, passing through Barca and Santa Viola and reaching up to Massarenti/Murri.
In a system of skyrocketing housing and room costs, with figures in red that hit especially students, who are about to start searching for accommodation for the new academic year, the first signs of improvement are beginning to appear. In fact, on a trend basis, between July and the same period in 2025 the average price of a rental in Bologna reached 16.44 euros per square meter, a 3.58% decrease compared to last year.
A first positive fluctuation then – data source Immobiliare.it –, but still far from the trends of the past, when living and studying in Bologna was more accessible for everyone. Just take the average rental price from five years ago: in July 2021 it was 13.20 €/m², about 25% less than today. So, the road is still long and uphill. But meanwhile, some improvement is visible. Notably, the one in the center.
The average rental price recorded in July in the Cerchia dei Mille was 18.09 euros per square meter, down 4.2% compared to the same period in 2025. Higher percentages – but with different ratios – are recorded in the airport/Borga Panigale area, with a -6.8% and an average rental price per square meter of 14.70 euros. Behind the city center, the most expensive area remains the Colli. Here the decrease is small (-0.6%) and the average price stands at 15.98 €/m². Then, looking at the city map, follows Murri/Massarenti where there is a -4% compared to July 2025. However, the figures remain high, with an average of 15.93 euros per square meter. Similarly, there is also via Andrea Costa/Saragozza/Saffi, where cost percentages decrease by 1.9% on a base of 15.81 €/m².
Righi (Student Office): “Expenses for students still high”
“In Bologna, off-site students’ rents exceed 6,000 euros per year. An amount which, added to other expenses related to university life, significantly weighs on family budgets and can affect students’ choices, up to giving up housing solutions in the city or even the university location itself,” explains Nicolò Francesco Righi, coordinator of the student association Student Office Bologna. Many university students also choose to live in the area including Bolognina/Corticella/Pescarola.
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Here the average price is 15.42 €/m², down 4.2% compared to July 2025. Many young people also choose the San Donato/Pilastro area, where it is 15.14 €/m² (-2.3%). Prices fall in the Barca/Santa Viola area (-4.1% and 14.74 euros per square meter) and San Vitale/Mazzini (-2.6% and 14.72 €/m²). Slight fluctuation between via Toscana and Savena with 1% less and an average rental price of 14.19 euros per square meter.
“Strengthen resources allocated to rental contribution calls”
“The availability of housing at affordable prices remains one of the key issues for those who choose to study away from home in Bologna – continues Righi –. For this reason, we believe it is important that the University continues to strengthen the resources allocated to rental contribution calls, but we also believe that city institutions can and must do their part, especially by promoting the construction of new student residences and making currently vacant properties available”.
A separate chapter for the conditions in which the properties are found, another central theme for the pockets and lifestyle of students. “Even tools like incentives can help make it more convenient for owners to allocate properties to contracts with controlled rent for students. However, the housing problem cannot be addressed through a single intervention. A strategy is needed that brings together Municipality, Region, and University, with different but coordinated tools,” concludes Righi.
Buying a house in Bologna: prices rising
The average cost in the city to buy (or sell) a house is 3,835 euros per square meter. A sharp 5.27% increase compared to July 2025. Except for the Colli (where the decrease is 2.1%), the increase is general and clear. Here is +4% in Barca, +8% in Saragozza area, +7.3% in Bolognina and Corticella, +6.8% in the San Vitale and Mazzini area, +6.6% in Murri/Massarenti and +5.2% in via Toscana/Savena. But the Cerchia dei Mille remains the most expensive for buying a house: 4,668 €/m².
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