The housing market in Barcelona faces a significant paradox. While a monthly mortgage for a two-bedroom apartment is considerably cheaper than renting, the initial savings barrier remains the highest in Spain, alongside Madrid and San Sebastian.

Rental supply in the city has plummeted by 28% in just five months, keeping prices at record highs. This shortage forces many residents to spend more than 30% of their net income on housing, making it nearly impossible to accumulate the necessary savings to buy.

According to the National Statistics Institute, housing prices have reached levels not seen since 2007. This context of rising prices and limited rental stock continues to strain the local population in high-demand areas like Barcelona.