In October 2026, 25% of respondents were actively looking for housing in Lviv or considering the possibility of purchasing it within the next 1–3 years.

This is stated in a new study

OLX Real Estate.

Activity is growing both in rentals and in the secondary purchase market, however, it is precisely in the long-term rental segment that the gap between supply and demand is significantly more noticeable: there are fewer listings, while competition among potential renters is intensifying substantially.

What people buy housing for

For most potential buyers, real estate in Lviv is primarily housing for their own residence. The decision is increasingly influenced not only by price and neighborhood, but also by the building's safety, autonomy, infrastructure, and the property's liquidity.

Of them, 4% were already actively searching, and another 21% were considering the purchase as one of the possible scenarios.

For most potential buyers, real estate in Lviv is primarily housing for themselves — 57% of respondents named this goal. Another 28% consider the purchase as an investment — for subsequent rental or resale, and 14% are looking for housing for children or other family members.

How buyers' behavior has changed

Market experts also note that buyer behavior has changed noticeably compared to the first years of the full-scale war.

If in 2022 some people made decisions faster — due to an urgent relocation or a desire to preserve savings in real estate — then now the choice has become more considered. People are more carefully evaluating the city itself, the district, the characteristics of the housing, and the prospects for further living.

Prices and demand

If we compare October 2026 with October 2025, the number of listings for long-term apartment rentals in Lviv decreased by 24%.

At the same time, the median rental cost increased by 38% over the year and as of October 2026 stood at almost UAH 25,000 per month.

Rent

Against the backdrop of shrinking supply, the activity of potential renters has increased significantly. The number of responses has more than doubled, and the dynamics of the number of responses per listing are especially indicative.

If in October 2025 there were on average 15.5 reviews per apartment in Lviv, then in October 2026 there were already 40.7, meaning competition for a single property grew more than 2.5 times over the year.

Secondary market

The situation on the secondary purchase market is somewhat different: the number of listings for the sale of one-room apartments in Lviv increased by 4% over the year, while the number of responses overall increased by 18%, and per listing by 13%, and in October 2026 it stood at 15.3.

1-room apartments

The median cost of a one-room apartment on the secondary market also increased. In hryvnias, it changed from approximately UAH 2.81 million in October 2025 to UAH 3.48 million in October 2026. By approximate conversion into dollars — from about $66.8 thousand to $75.6 thousand, that is, by approximately 13%.

Main barrier to purchase

The main factor holding people back from buying real estate in Lviv remains prices. Among those who currently do not plan to purchase:

What they are looking for

At the same time, the largest share of potential buyers is guided by a budget that is relatively small for the Lviv market:

Expert opinion

According to market experts, some clients who cannot find the right option in Lviv are starting to consider the suburbs — in particular Vynnyky, Briukhovychi, Sokilnyky — or other cities in the region.

This is especially relevant for buyers who want to take advantage of the state lending program and must fit within the housing cost parameters set by it.

Selection criteria

Price remains the most important criterion when choosing housing — 52% of potential buyers named it. However, characteristics that just a few years ago were not always among the basic requirements are playing an increasingly large role.

For 48%, it is important to have shops, schools, and kindergartens nearby. 46% are looking for a quiet neighborhood away from noisy streets, 35% pay attention to the presence of a park or green space.

At the same time, requirements for the safety and autonomy of housing formed a separate block. 37% of respondents each named the presence of a shelter in or near the building and autonomous heating as important. For 30%, one of the criteria is backup power for the building.

Market experts themselves are noticing this change. According to their observations, in 2020–2021, a successful location and an acceptable price were often enough for a buyer. In 2025–2026, the request has become significantly broader: buyers evaluate autonomy, shelter, the building's surroundings, nearby commercial facilities and services, as well as how comfortable it will be to meet everyday needs directly near the home. In essence, the buyer is increasingly evaluating not only the apartment itself but also the environment in which they will live.