St. Petersburg Outskirts Outpace Center in Rental Price Growth

The rental housing market in St. Petersburg is showing a shift in trends: while central districts are experiencing stagnation, the outskirts are showing steady price growth. According to the analysis, rental costs in outlying locations have increased by 10-25% over the past year, exceeding both the inflation rate and the city«s average indicators.

The study focused on one-room apartments, studios, and three-room residential units. Two-room properties were excluded from the sample due to the instability of this segment, often formed through redevelopment.

Petrodvortsovy District: Outskirts with Parks Gain Value

Petrodvortsovy District, previously considered budget-friendly, is now showing a significant increase in rental rates. The average price for a one-room apartment here is 30,000 rubles per month (approximately $333 at current rates), for a studio — 28,500 rubles (approximately $317), and for a three-room apartment — 67,200 rubles (approximately $747).

One-room apartments account for 72% of the local market, studios — 15%, and three-room apartments — 13%. The most expensive offers are three-room apartments in historical buildings constructed in 1935 and 1840, which rent for 98,000 rubles (approximately $1,100 at current rates) and 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,100 at current rates) respectively.

Prices have increased by 30-50% over the past two years, and by 8-25% over the past year. Key cost factors have become the presence of designer renovations and the year of the building«s construction, while distance from the center no longer leads to significant discounts.

Kronstadt: The Island Premium

The rental market in Kronstadt is characterized by limited supply — only 15 listings. Average rates: 42,000 rubles (approximately $467 at current rates) for a one-room apartment, 43,000 rubles (approximately $478) for a studio, and 53,000 rubles (approximately $589) for a three-room apartment.

One-room apartments make up 74% of the supply, studios and three-room apartments — 13% each. New builds from 2015-2021 rent for 40,000-55,000 rubles (approximately $444-$611 at current rates), while older housing stock without elevators rents for 26,000-35,000 rubles (approximately $289-$389 at current rates).

Over the past year, prices for one-room apartments in Kronstadt have increased by 10%. The main cost factor is the condition of the housing, while location within the island has minimal significance.

Primorsky District: Balance of Cost and Quality

Primorsky District offers average price indicators: a one-room apartment here costs an average of 42,000 rubles (approximately $467 at current rates), a studio — 46,000 rubles (approximately $511), and a three-room apartment — 74,000 rubles (approximately $822).

One-room apartments dominate the market, accounting for 87% of the supply. Over two years, rental rates in the district have increased by 15%, and over the past year — by 10%. Proximity to the metro adds 15-20% to the cost.

Vasileostrovsky District: Premium with History

Vasileostrovsky District remains a premium segment of the rental market. The average cost of a one-room apartment is 68,000 rubles (approximately $756 at current rates), a studio — 44,000 rubles (approximately $489), and a three-room apartment — 94,000 rubles (approximately $1,000 at current rates).

Studios account for 46% of the supply, one-room apartments — 44%, and three-room apartments — 11%. Over a couple of years, prices for one-room apartments have increased by 30-45%, for studios — by 20-50%, and for three-room apartments — by 42-60%. Over the past year, growth averaged 10%.

Expert Opinion

According to experts from the CIAN real estate database, after rental rate increases of 23% in 2023 and 20% in 2024, prices in St. Petersburg increased by only 4% in 2025. This is due to the economic slowdown, deceleration of income growth, increased supply, and a high-base effect.

Rates have increased the most in initially inexpensive outlying districts, with minimal growth observed in locations with a small share of modern housing stock, including the historical center.

Experts noted: «The number of available apartments (7.5 thousand units) is now 11% higher than a year ago. Both the general market cooling and the fact that many apartments from failed sellers have entered the rental market have had an impact.»

The increase in the share of apartments in new buildings is also pushing average prices upward. It is expected that sustained rental rate growth will resume with the start of the high season.

The average yield from renting out a one-room apartment in St. Petersburg in January 2026 was 5.2%, and in the Leningrad Oblast — 7.0%.