Rental Investing in Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen

2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis

Gross Yield

5.4%

Annual rent / price

Median Home Price

€192,000

As of 2025-01

Median Monthly Rent

€864

Per month

Population

582,000

-0.4% / yr (5y avg)

Calculate Your Return in Essen

Pre-filled with Essen's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.

Property Details

Total acquisition cost before taxes

HOA, insurance, property management

%

% of time the property is empty

%

% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)

% of price

Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr

Results

Gross Rental Yield

5.40%

Net Rental Yield

2.88%

Cap Rate

2.88%

Monthly Cash Flow

€460.80

Annual Cash Flow

€5,529.60

> 6% — Excellent4–6% — Good< 4% — Low

Market Overview

Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend

2021
€180,000
2022
€210,000
2023
€200,000
2024
€195,000
2025
€192,000

Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend

2021
€760
2022
€800
2023
€830
2024
€850
2025
€864

Essen provides solid rental yields of 5.4%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.

Declining population of 0.4% per year may pose risks to long-term rental demand. Investors should focus on established neighborhoods with stable tenant bases.

The vacancy rate of 3.2% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.

Investment Profile

Challenging Market

Essen presents challenges with both modest rental yields and limited population growth. Investors need to carefully analyze specific neighborhoods and property types to find opportunities that outperform the market average.

Strengths

  • Lower entry prices may reduce downside risk
  • Select neighborhoods and value-add properties can outperform the average

! Risks

  • Below-average gross yield of 5.4% limits income potential
  • Limited population growth reduces long-term rental demand
  • Higher due diligence required to identify strong-performing assets

Key Metrics

Gross Yield5.4%
Median Home Price€192,000
Median Monthly Rent€864
Population Growth-0.4% / yr
Vacancy Rate3.2%

How Essen Compares

Essen vs Düsseldorf: 1.5 percentage point difference in gross yield.

CityMedian PriceMedian RentGross YieldPop. Growth
Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen€408,000€1,3123.9%+2.1%
Dortmund, Nordrhein-Westfalen€208,000€9285.4%+0.8%
Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen€184,000€8325.4%-0.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental investing profitable in Essen?
Essen offers a gross rental yield of 5.4%, which is in line with the national average. With a median home price of €192,000 and median monthly rent of €864, profitability is achievable but depends heavily on financing terms and whether you can source properties below the median price.
What is the average rental yield in Essen?
The average gross rental yield in Essen is approximately 5.4%, based on a median home price of €192,000 and median monthly rent of €864 (as of 2025-01). Net yield, which accounts for vacancy, expenses, and maintenance, is typically 2–3 percentage points lower.
How does Essen compare to Düsseldorf for investors?
Essen has a gross yield of 5.4% compared to 3.9% in Düsseldorf, a difference of 1.5 percentage points. Essen offers higher current income potential, making it more attractive for cash flow-focused investors.

Ready to Analyse a Specific Property in Essen?

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Data source: Destatis / Immobilienscout24. Last updated: 2025-01. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.