The latest report from the Deutsche Bank Research Institute reveals a significant dip in the average price of city-center apartments in Hong Kong, which now stands at US$25,946 per square meter, a sharp decline from $31,943 in 2020. This shift positions Hong Kong as the city with the highest home purchase prices globally, a fact that piques interest amid its challenging housing market dynamics.
Trailing Hong Kong are Zurich and Singapore, with average prices of $23,938 and $22,955 per square meter, respectively. However, the report highlights that these financial powerhouses often rank lower in quality of life, largely due to exorbitant housing costs. In fact, Hong Kong finds itself ranked 48th globally in terms of livability, an ironic twist for a city with such soaring property values.
In the rental arena, New York steals the spotlight, boasting an average price of $8,388 per month for a three-bedroom apartment. Hong Kong, meanwhile, places seventh in this category, with average rents at $4,807 per month—not too shabby, yet still overshadowed by cities like Singapore, Boston, London, San Francisco, and Zurich, according to the South China Morning Post.
In an earlier report, The Wealth Report 2025 from property consultancy Knight Frank affirmed Hong Kong’s status as a top contender for super-prime property transactions, recording a remarkable 166 sales valued at $10 million or more last year. This appeal stems from the city’s robust financial infrastructure, strategic placement, and a penchant for ultra-luxury real estate.
The report noted that the finite supply of prime properties combined with a consistent global thirst for these trophy assets keeps the super-prime market a central feature of Hong Kong’s investment landscape. It’s said that with a budget of $1 million, buyers can snag just 22 square meters of luxury in Hong Kong, while the same sum gets them 32 square meters in Singapore—a stark reminder of the differences in affordability across the region.
