Dreaming of a European home? These cities are surprisingly affordable!

Buying a home in Europe today can feel like trying to catch a unicorn. Skyrocketing property prices, inflation, and the ever-growing cost of living have made owning your own space a distant dream for many. Yet, the continent is far from uniform—some cities still offer pockets of surprising affordability for those ready to plant roots. Deloitte’s newly released European Property Index ranks cities based on the number of average gross annual salaries required to buy a standard 70-square-metre newly built apartment. This gives a clearer picture of homeownership’s true accessibility across Europe—an eye-opening look at where you might actually afford a front door of your own. Here’s a closer look at the cities where owning a home is still within reach: (Image: Canva)

1. Turin, Italy
Average gross annual salaries needed: 4.9
Turin is often overshadowed by Italy’s more famous cities, but its mix of Baroque architecture, cozy cafés, and leafy boulevards make it a living dream—and at prices that won’t drain your life savings. (Image: Canva)

2. Odense, Denmark
Average gross annual salaries needed: 4.9
The birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Odense pairs fairy-tale charm with practical affordability. Quaint streets, canals, and parks make it a city that feels both storybook and attainable. (Image: Canva)

3. Manchester, UK
Average gross annual salaries needed: 5.3
More than just football and music, Manchester is a city on the rise, offering vibrant culture, universities, and surprisingly affordable housing compared to London’s sky-high market. (Image: Canva)

4. Aarhus, Denmark
Average gross annual salaries needed: 5.8
Aarhus is where youthful energy meets history, museums, and a thriving food scene—all without the punishing price tag of Denmark’s capital. (Image: Canva)

5. Katowice, Poland
Average gross annual salaries needed: 7.1
Once an industrial powerhouse, Katowice is reinventing itself with modern apartments, green spaces, and a cultural scene that makes it an unexpected hotspot for property buyers. (Image: Canva)

6. Zagreb, Croatia
Average gross annual salaries needed: 7.5
Croatia’s capital is far more than a gateway to the Adriatic. With historic streets, cafés, and reasonably priced homes, Zagreb offers a balanced city lifestyle without the coastal premium. (Image: Canva)

7. Celje, Slovenia
Average gross annual salaries needed: 7.6
Slovenia’s charming Celje is a town where history, riverside walks, and quaint streets meet surprisingly approachable property prices. (Image: Canva)

8. Maribor, Slovenia
Average gross annual salaries needed: 7.6
Nestled in Slovenia’s wine country, Maribor combines natural beauty and city comforts. Affordable homes here give you the chance to live in one of Europe’s most picturesque regions. (Image: Canva)

9. Florence, Italy
Average gross annual salaries needed: 7.7
The Renaissance city is a dream for art lovers, and while it’s more expensive than Turin, Florence still offers pockets of attainable housing if you’re willing to invest wisely. (Image: Canva)

10. Győr, Hungary
Average gross annual salaries needed: 8.0
Between Budapest and Vienna lies Győr, a city that combines history, convenience, and affordability—a smart choice for buyers seeking a central European base. (Image: Canva)

11. Gdańsk, Poland
Average gross annual salaries needed: 8.0
With its Baltic charm, cobblestone streets, and rising economy, Gdańsk is quickly emerging as one of Poland’s most desirable—and affordable—places to buy property. (Image: Canva)