The Ukrainian real estate market is showing interesting dynamics: in a number of cities, the monthly payment for the preferential 'єОселя' mortgage has already equaled or even dropped below the cost of renting. According to a study by OLX Real Estate, published by RBC-Ukraine, buying one's own home is becoming financially more attractive than long-term renting for many citizens.

Analysts compared the median rental cost of one-bedroom apartments in regional centers with calculated payments under the program at 7% annual interest for a term of up to 20 years. The data is based on prices for April 2026.

Western Ukraine: Buying is Cheaper Than Renting

The most obvious turning point is observed in the western regions of the country. Here, the mortgage payment is significantly lower than rental rates, making property ownership economically viable.

Uzhhorod became the leader in the difference. The median cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment here reaches almost 22,000 hryvnias a month, while the monthly contribution under the 'єОселя' program is about 15,700 hryvnias.

A similar situation has developed in other major cities in the West:

  • Lviv: mortgage — 17,100 hryvnias, rent — 19,400 hryvnias.
  • Ivano-Frankivsk: mortgage — 14,700 hryvnias, rent — 17,200 hryvnias.
  • Lutsk: mortgage — 14,000 hryvnias, rent — 15,000 hryvnias.

In Chernivtsi, where the highest estimated payment under the program was recorded (19,650 hryvnias), renting a one-bedroom apartment is still cheaper, costing about 13,200 hryvnias.

Center and South: Renting Still Wins

In most other regions of Ukraine, renting one-bedroom apartments remains cheaper than payments under the preferential mortgage. The gap varies from insignificant to substantial.

In Kyiv, the monthly payment under the program is about 18,300 hryvnias, while rent costs an average of 16,000 hryvnias. In Vinnytsia, Ternopil, and Rivne, the difference is also in favor of renting, but it is small — the mortgage exceeds the cost of renting by 10–20%.

In Odesa, the situation is more contrasting: the mortgage will cost 12,900 hryvnias, while an apartment can be rented for 10,000 hryvnias.

Regions Near the Front Line

The most significant difference in cost between buying and renting is observed in cities close to the combat zone. Due to decreased demand for rent, rental prices here are significantly lower than in rear regions.

In Kharkiv, renting a one-bedroom apartment costs an average of 6,500 hryvnias, which is almost twice as little as the payment under 'єОселя' (10,600 hryvnias). A similar picture is seen in Sumy (rent 6,800 vs mortgage 11,500), Mykolaiv (6,200 vs 11,100), and Chernihiv (7,500 vs 13,000). In Zaporizhzhia, rent costs 7,000 hryvnias, while the mortgage is almost 9,800 hryvnias.

New Program Rules

Experts note that with funds available for a down payment, buying an apartment under the 'єОселя' program can be advantageous in the long term, especially in regions with high rental demand and stable security.

It is worth noting that the program has undergone changes. Now there are restrictions on the area of the housing: basic limits are set for families of one or two people, and for larger families, they increase by 21 sq. m for each family member. In addition, active military personnel and conscripts have access to a mortgage at 3% per annum, while veterans and families of deceased defenders have access to one at 7%.