How many years does it take to save up for an apartment in Ukraine: statistics by region

In Ukraine, the path to owning your own flat can take anywhere from several years to decades — it all depends on the city, income level, and cost of housing. We have compiled the latest statistics by region to show where it is easier to save up for a flat and where it becomes a long-term financial goal. Find out how many years you need to save money for housing in different cities across the country and why the difference is so significant

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For most Ukrainians, buying their own flat remains one of their biggest and most long-term financial goals. The cost of housing is rising, while salaries are not changing as quickly, so the question of how many years it takes to save up for a flat is more relevant than ever. Analysts at LUN have calculated how long it would take residents of different cities in Ukraine to save up for a one-bedroom, two-bedroom, or three-bedroom flat if they set aside their entire average salary.

How many years does it take to save up for a one-bedroom flat

When it comes to housing on the secondary market and taking into account the average salary in the region, the time it takes to save up for a one-bedroom flat in Ukraine ranges from 2.5 to almost 9 years. The gap between cities is truly striking.

The fastest way to ‘save up’ for your own home is in the following cities:

— Zaporizhia — about 2.6 years;

— Kharkiv — 3.4 years;

— Mykolaiv — 3.5 years;

— Sumy — about 4 years.

But in some regions, you will have to wait much longer to achieve your goal.

The record holders in terms of the length of time it takes to save up are:

— Lutsk — approximately 8.8 years;

— Lviv and Uzhhorod — about 8.4 years;

— Rivne — 7.8 years;

— Zhytomyr and Chernivtsi — 7.6 years;

— Kyiv — about 7.5 years.

It is important to understand that the calculations are based on saving 100% of your salary, which is practically impossible in real life. If you save half of your income, the period automatically doubles; if you save a quarter, it quadruples. This means that where the calculation shows 8 years, the actual period may turn out to be 16–32 years.

Tip: if you are planning to buy an apartment, it is worth taking care of property insurance in advance. On the Visit Ukraine platform, you can take out express home insurance online — it's fast, official, and will help protect your investment in case of unforeseen events such as fire, flooding, natural disasters, or war risks.

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Two-room flat: even longer and more difficult

If the goal is a two-room flat, the savings period is even longer. Even if you save your entire salary, it may take:

— from 3.5 years in Zaporizhia;

— up to 12.3 years in Uzhhorod.

In the largest and most touristy cities, the price per square metre is traditionally higher, so the savings period increases proportionally.

Three-room apartment: a dream for decades

As expected, the longest terms were for three-room apartments. Here, the savings period reaches record highs:

— a minimum of about 5.1 years in Kherson;

— the maximum figures are in Kyiv, where you would have to save for about 17 years for such an apartment, even if you put aside your entire salary.

If we translate this into a more realistic financial model — saving 25–30% of income — the period can stretch to several decades.

Why is there such a difference between cities?

Several factors influence the time it takes to save up:

— the average salary in the region;

— the cost per square metre;

— demand for housing;

— the city's economic activity;

— migration processes and the number of offers on the market.

The higher the cost of housing with relatively low incomes, the longer the road to owning your own flat.

Reminder! The housing market in Ukraine is changing amid economic instability and war. Find out in which regions you can still buy a one-bedroom flat for up to $40,000, how prices, demand and supply are changing.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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