Real estate market in times of war: how demand and prices are changing in the east of the country

In eastern Ukraine, real estate reacts to military events in different ways: Kharkiv is showing a revitalized market, while Donetsk region is sinking into stagnation. Find out more about changes in demand, prices and supply volumes in the face of instability

Insure your apartment and property against damage, destruction and theft in 5 minutes

GET

The real estate market in eastern Ukraine is experiencing complex and ambiguous dynamics amid the ongoing hostilities and unstable situation. Despite the shelling and risks, the region is experiencing both surges in demand and sharp drops in demand, depending on the city.

Kharkiv: demand is growing, prices are rising

The most noticeable changes occurred in the Kharkiv region. According to analysts at OLX Real Estate, demand for housing here has grown rapidly, up to 79% in total. Particularly high interest is observed in the new construction market, where demand jumped by the same 79% compared to March 2024. In the secondary market, the growth is 48%.

Prices also went up: in the secondary market, apartments went up by 8% - from UAH 734 thousand to UAH 791 thousand (approximately $19 thousand), and new buildings added 10% - up to UAH 1.2 million (approximately $29 thousand). In Kharkiv itself, prices rose even more: secondary housing - from UAH 751 thousand to UAH 830 thousand, and new buildings - from UAH 1.1 million to UAH 1.2 million.

Despite the shelling and the reduction in the number of offers (minus 24% in the secondary market and 26% in the primary market), demand is growing. This may indicate the desire of some people to return home or invest in their hometown, despite the risks.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Donetsk region: demand is falling, the market is stagnating

Unlike Kharkiv, the situation in Donetsk region looks more dramatic. Demand for housing here has fallen by 38%, while the number of ads has decreased by 53%. Kramatorsk and Sloviansk have also seen a decline in activity: minus 9% in Sloviansk and 59% in Kramatorsk.

Prices remain relatively stable, albeit with a slight increase: +9% in Sloviansk (up to UAH 359 thousand) and +3% in Kramatorsk (up to UAH 333 thousand). The market is almost at a standstill - there are few buyers and even fewer sellers. The main reason is the ongoing hostilities and high threat to life.

General trends

The situation on the housing market in eastern Ukraine looks contradictory. On the one hand, the increase in demand in Kharkiv may be a sign of hope for a return and stabilization. On the other hand, the decrease in supply in both regions is a result of people leaving and uncertainty about the future.

It should also be borne in mind that housing prices in central and western Ukraine remain high and there is a lack of new construction. This is partly contributing to the shift in demand to the east, where prices are lower, although there are serious risks.

Today, real estate insurance is not just a formality, but a real tool of protection for homeowners. In a period of instability, when threats can arise from both military operations and other unforeseen circumstances, having an insurance policy means having a financial cushion in case of damage or loss of property. This is especially true for those who invest in housing or plan to return to their hometown.

However, there is also an important limitation to consider: in regions where active hostilities are ongoing, such as parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, or Kherson regions, most insurance companies temporarily do not accept real estate for insurance. The risks are too high and the predictability of events is minimal. However, in safer regions, insurance remains affordable and allows you to keep your home safe, regardless of the situation.

You can take out a real estate insurance policy quickly and conveniently on the Visit Ukraine platform - this is a reliable solution for your protection.

Choose an insurance policy and don't worry about your real estate!

We remind you! Not all Ukrainians know that they can protect their homes from the most common risks, including fire, flood, theft, and war. Find out how real estate insurance works in Ukraine and how much it will cost to protect your apartment or house.

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

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.