Buying so much as a 50-square-metre apartment in Belgrade remains out of reach for many households, as the combination of high property prices, interest rates and relatively modest salaries continues to widen the gap between incomes and housing costs.
The latest calculations show that the salary required to comfortably finance such a purchase depends heavily on the location, the property’s price and whether the buyer is taking out a mortgage. Apartments in more sought-after central neighbourhoods can require significantly higher incomes than properties on the outskirts of the capital.
The affordability gap is particularly visible when property prices are compared with average wages. Even with two incomes in a household, buyers often need to devote a substantial share of their monthly earnings to a mortgage, while banks also apply income and debt-service limits when assessing loan applications.
For younger buyers, the situation is especially challenging. Saving enough for a down payment while paying rent and covering everyday expenses can significantly extend the time needed to enter the property market.
The situation has also fuelled demand for smaller apartments and properties farther from the city centre, where prices are generally lower. However, the trade-off is often longer commuting times and higher transport costs.
Belgrade’s housing market therefore continues to raise a broader question about how closely property prices are aligned with local incomes. While purchasing an apartment remains an important long-term goal for many Serbian households, the income required to achieve it illustrates just how difficult home ownership has become for a large part of the city’s population.
