As the new academic year approaches, thousands of students across Greece are beginning their search for off-campus housing — a process increasingly shaped by soaring rental prices. For many, finding affordable student accommodation has become a major financial hurdle, especially near the country’s largest universities in Athens and Thessaloniki, where rents have surged significantly over the past few years. Differences between neighborhoods are now stark — and location choice can make a meaningful difference to monthly budgets.
Where Rents Are Highest
According to research by ReDataset — which analyzed asking rents for apartments ranging from 15 to 50 square meters within a 1.5-kilometer radius (or roughly a 20-minute walk) of eight major Greek universities — Piraeus recorded the sharpest rent increase. Asking rents near the University of Piraeus rose by 29.2% between 2023 and the first half of 2026. The average asking price now stands at €13.70 per square meter — placing Piraeus on par with the area surrounding the Panteion University in central Athens.
Panteion University Area Remains Among the Most Expensive
The neighborhood around Panteion University on Syngrou Avenue continues to rank among the priciest options for student housing. It topped the list as early as 2023, and its current average asking rent remains at €13.70 per square meter. While rents here have risen, the pace of growth has been more moderate compared to other university districts.
Housing Options Across Athens
Students searching for accommodation in Athens face a wide range of choices — with notable price variations depending on location:
Near the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) on Patission Street, rents followed a more restrained upward trajectory and currently sit at €12.20 per square meter — placing the area roughly in the middle of the ranking.
At the Harokopio University, prices appear to have stabilized after several semesters of increases, settling around €13 per square meter over the past year.
Zografou — home to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens — shows the mildest trend. Between 2023 and the first half of 2026, overall rent growth here was just 6%, the lowest among all eight university zones surveyed.
Aigaleo: Volatile but Still Costly
The area around the University of West Attica in Aigaleo has seen greater fluctuations. Rents dipped early in 2024 before rebounding sharply. Over the three-year period, cumulative growth reached 23% — second only to Piraeus — bringing the average to €12.30 per square meter.
Thessaloniki’s More Affordable Options
In Thessaloniki, the area surrounding the University of Macedonia has shown relatively stable pricing, though the full analysis for this city is incomplete in the source material. Nevertheless, preliminary data suggests it remains one of the more budget-friendly university-adjacent neighborhoods in northern Greece — offering students a viable alternative to Athens’ tighter and more expensive markets.