property
Montmartre Renters Pay Less Monthly Than Homeowners on Identical Units
Monthly outlays for tenants in Montmartre flats sit below mortgage payments plus ownership costs on comparable units as of mid-2026.
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How we reported this
Renting a typical two-bedroom apartment in Montmartre now runs 1,850 euros a month on average, while the equivalent purchase would require 2,140 euros in monthly mortgage and running costs, according to July 2026 listings tracked by local agencies.
Interest rates that have stayed above 3.8 percent since late 2025 have lifted borrowing costs even as sale prices per square metre edged up 4 percent in the 18th arrondissement over the past year. Tenants avoid stamp duty, notary fees and maintenance that owners must cover, widening the gap for anyone without a large deposit.
Street-level prices around the Butte
Flats on Rue Lepic near the daily market show asking rents of 32 euros per square metre, while identical units listed for sale on Rue Caulaincourt command 11,800 euros per square metre. Agents at the local branch of Laforêt note that buyers also face 7 percent acquisition costs on top of the purchase price, a figure unchanged since the 2024 revision of notarial tariffs. Properties within 300 metres of Sacré-Cœur basilica follow the same pattern, with rental yields holding near 3.2 percent.
City Hall’s Paris Habitat programme offers limited rent-controlled units on Rue des Abbesses, yet waiting lists exceed 18 months for new applicants. Private landlords dominate the rest of the stock, and they have raised renewals by an average 2.9 percent this spring, still below the 4.1 percent rise in equivalent ownership expenses.
Running the numbers for 2026 buyers
A 65-square-metre flat bought at 767,000 euros with a 20 percent deposit requires a 613,600-euro loan at 3.85 percent over 25 years, producing 3,180 euros in capital and interest before adding 420 euros for property tax, insurance and co-ownership fees. The same flat rents for 2,080 euros including charges. The 1,520-euro monthly difference covers more than six months of rent in a single year of ownership costs avoided.
Prospective buyers should compare current listings on Rue des Martyrs with fresh rental advertisements before committing. Local notaries at the 18th arrondissement chamber can supply exact acquisition-cost breakdowns for any address under consideration this summer.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.