Uncovering Hidden Value: Why Larger Apartments Are Cheaper per Square Meter in Certain German Cities

The surprising twist in this German housing data is that bigger apartments can actually be cheaper per square meter — and not by a little. In several cities, the usual “small flat = higher €/m²” rule flips, creating a real value gap that many buyers would probably miss if they only looked at the headline price.

JobStatsen’s listing-level analysis found nine German cities with this anomaly, with the clearest cases in Dorsten, Hanau, Gütersloh, Cottbus, and Jena. In those markets, larger apartments are often priced about 20% to 30% lower per square meter than smaller units, which is a pretty meaningful discount. That means a family-sized home may offer better unit economics than a compact apartment, even if the total purchase price is higher.

Why does this happen? The data suggests it could be a mix of weaker demand for larger stock and stronger competition for smaller, more affordable listings. Either way, it’s a useful reminder that “cheap” and “expensive” in real estate depend a lot on how you measure them.

For buyers and investors, the takeaway is simple: don’t stop at total price. In some German cities, the best value is hiding in the larger floor plans.

Read the full analysis with interactive charts and district-level data on Realty Pulse