TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The dream of homeownership has become increasingly elusive for many Taipei residents as property prices continue their relentless climb. A comprehensive market analysis released Thursday (July 3) by Taiwan Realty Estate (台灣房屋), one of the island's leading real estate firms, reveals sobering statistics. Average home prices in Taiwan's capital have reached a staggering NT$26.21 million (approximately US$908,600) during the first quarter of 2025, requiring estimated monthly mortgage payments of NT$80,500 (US$2,790) — a sum that exceeds the city's average monthly salary of NT$54,600 (US$1,892) by NT$25,900 (US$898).
The housing affordability crisis extends beyond Taipei proper into surrounding areas, though with varying degrees of severity. In New Taipei City, the sprawling municipality that encircles the capital, average home prices have reached NT$15.6 million (US$540,800), with typical mortgage payments estimated at NT$47,900 (US$1,660) — still exceeding the area's average monthly salary of NT$43,800 (US$1,518) by NT$4,100 (US$142). The central city of Taichung presents a marginally better situation, with average home prices of NT$13.13 million (US$455,200) requiring mortgage payments of approximately NT$40,300 (US$1,397), just NT$500 (US$17) above the local average monthly salary of NT$39,800 (US$1,380).
Hsinchu City, Taiwan's renowned technology hub located about 80 kilometers southwest of Taipei, presents a markedly different economic landscape for potential homebuyers. The city's robust technology industry, home to the world-famous Hsinchu Science Park, elevates average salaries to NT$73,600 (US$2,551), significantly higher than other urban centers. While the average home price in Hsinchu stands at NT$19.36 million (US$671,100), requiring monthly mortgage payments of approximately NT$59,500 (US$2,062), residents still retain about NT$14,100 (US$489) monthly for living expenses after housing costs. The city's unique combination of tech-driven high salaries and comparatively reasonable housing prices creates a more sustainable economic equation for residents, despite recent property value increases that have seen mortgage payments consume roughly 80% of average incomes.
Chang Hsu-lan (張旭嵐), who heads Taiwan Realty Estate's research division known as the "Trend Center" (趨勢中心), emphasized the near impossibility for single-income individuals to enter Taipei's housing market without substantial family financial assistance or partnership with another wage earner. The housing pressure has catalyzed a demographic shift that locals have dubbed "escaping from Taipei" (逃離台北), as young professionals increasingly relocate to satellite cities and more affordable regions where homeownership remains within reach. This migration pattern represents a significant socioeconomic response to the capital's housing affordability crisis. ◼
(At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$28.847)