Argentina's Rental Market Sees Price Hikes, Significant Regional Gaps Emerge

Argentina's rental market is experiencing a surge in prices, particularly in Buenos Aires, where average rents for a two-room apartment have climbed to $848,509 per month. This follows the repeal of the rental law in December 2023, which initially increased property listings but has since seen prices rise. In the first four months of the year, Buenos Aires saw a 12.2% increase in average prices, with a 34% year-on-year jump.

However, rental costs vary dramatically across the country. Some cities offer prices up to 35% lower than the capital. A survey by Reporte Inmobiliario revealed that two-room apartments in major provincial cities increased by 42.6% year-on-year, and three-room apartments by 49.8%. While these increases are substantial, they represent a slower pace of growth compared to the 2023-2024 period. In the first quarter of this year, two-room apartments rose 7.8% and three-room apartments 9.6%.

Despite these increases, rents in provincial cities continue to outpace general inflation, which stood at 35.3% according to INDEC. This is attributed to a scarcity of supply, a situation not present in Buenos Aires. Bariloche in Río Negro province records the highest rent for a two-room apartment at an average of $1,191,665 per month. Conversely, San Miguel de Tucumán is the cheapest, with average rents at $528,000 per month, making it 44% more affordable than Bariloche.

For three-room apartments, Neuquén emerges as the least accessible city with an average rent of $1,580,250, closely followed by Bariloche at $1,575,000. San Miguel de Tucumán remains the most economical option in this category as well.