The surprising twist in this German housing data is that bigger apartments can actually be cheaper per square meter — and not by a little. In several cities, the usual “small flat = higher €/m²” rule flips, creating a real value gap that many buyers would probably miss if they only looked at the headline price.
JobStatsen’s listing-level analysis found nine German cities with this anomaly, with the clearest cases in Dorsten, Hanau, Gütersloh, Cottbus, and Jena. In those markets, larger apartments are often priced about 20% to 30% lower per square meter than smaller units, which is a pretty meaningful discount. That means a family-sized home may offer better unit economics than a compact apartment, even if the total purchase price is higher.
Why does this happen? The data suggests it could be a mix of weaker demand for larger stock and stronger competition for smaller, more affordable listings. Either way, it’s a useful reminder that “cheap” and “expensive” in real estate depend a lot on how you measure them.
For buyers and investors, the takeaway is simple: don’t stop at total price. In some German cities, the best value is hiding in the larger floor plans.
Read the full analysis with interactive charts and district-level data on Realty Pulse
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