At the same time, the fluctuation reserve - i.e. the vacancy rate required for a functioning housing market - fell to just 0.7 percent, which corresponds to almost full occupancy.

"Affordable housing is also an important issue in Wolfsburg. Our rental market analysis shows: We are in a good position. We have set an important course with our housing policy in recent years. At the same time, our housing associations are making an important contribution to a stable housing market with a responsible pricing policy," explains Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann.

21,800 rental agreements were analyzed

The analysis is based on over 21,800 rental contracts from the four largest housing associations Neuland, VW Immobilien, Allertal Immobilien and Sahle Wohnen, which together manage more than half of the rented apartments in Wolfsburg.

"It is clear that the rent structure is shifting despite moderate rental growth. Affordable housing remains a key issue and developments must continue to be monitored closely. Even against this backdrop, new construction activity remains important in order to relieve the market and promote relocation chains," emphasizes First City Councillor and City Planning Councillor Kai-Uwe Hirschheide.

Fluctuation is falling - housing market remains tight

In 2024, 2,060 new rental agreements were concluded. The fluctuation rate - i.e. the proportion of households that move within a year - fell from 12% in the previous year to 9%. Despite this decline, the rate remains in what is considered a healthy range of between eight and 12 percent.

However, the low vacancy rate is problematic. While functioning housing markets have a fluctuation reserve of two to four percent, Wolfsburg's vacancy rate of 0.7 percent is significantly lower. This means that apartments can currently be rented out very quickly, regardless of location, furnishings or price category.

Prices rising moderately, affordable living space remains in demand

Since 2020, existing rents have risen by an average of EUR 0.16 per m² per year, while new rents have risen by EUR 0.15 per m². The moderate price increase shows that the large housing associations continue to have a stabilizing effect on Wolfsburg's housing market.

Despite moderate rental price development, affordable housing remains of great importance. In 2024, 51% of new lettings were in the low to medium price category (up to EUR 7.50 per m²), a similar figure to the previous year (55%). At the same time, both existing and new rents are increasingly rising from the low to the medium price category.

The results of the rental market analysis can also be found in our Wolfsburg Online Municipal Statistics (WOKS) at wolfsburg.de/woks.