How much has rent increased on your street in Barcelona since 2015?

Do you dare to see how much rent has gone up on your own street? If you live in Barcelona, the answer probably won’t surprise you… but it might hurt. A new interactive tool lets you check the average rent price and how it’s changed since 2015, street by street, across Spain.

A map that shatters illusions

The map, published by El País, puts numbers to a feeling many people in Barcelona already suspected: in 97% of the neighbourhoods analysed, rent has risen by more than 30% in the last eleven years. And in two out of three areas, the increase is over 50%. It’s not just an impression: the data backs it up.

Why do prices seem even higher?

The tool uses current rental contracts, so the prices it shows are usually lower than those you see in today’s listings. In other words, if you’re looking for a flat now, you’ll probably find even higher figures. The map, then, reflects the reality for those who already have a contract, not for those searching for a new one.

Barcelona and the rest of Spain in the same boat

The phenomenon isn’t unique to Barcelona, though it’s especially noticeable here in neighbourhoods like Eixample, Gràcia or Sant Martí. The price increase is widespread across Spain, according to the analysis. If you’re interested in how the authorities are trying to respond, the Generalitat has proposed measures such as partial home purchase for people over 40.

What now?

With these figures on the table, it’s clear that access to rental housing in Barcelona is becoming increasingly difficult for those without an old contract. The gap between what current tenants pay and what landlords are asking in listings keeps growing. If the market continues this way, pressure on the most sought-after neighbourhoods will only increase, and solutions will have to be as creative as they are urgent.