How much it costs to rent a 1-bedroom unit across 10 major cities in Asia

Finding the right place to rent or buy can feel daunting for first-timers or even repeat real estate investors, considering the impact it can have on your wallet. This is especially true in big metropolitan areas, where property prices tend to be on the higher side.

Besides the popular “30% rule” which suggests that renters should spend no more than 30% of their before-tax income on housing, another common strategy is the “3x annual income” rule — home-buyers should cap their total mortgage at three times their annual household income.

Based on 2025 data from local property portals and government websites in each country, researchers at the Global Property Guide compiled a list of median rental and purchase prices of homes across several major cities in Asia.

The numbers listed below, updated in August, are based on the median monthly asking price to rent and buy a one-bedroom residential dwelling within each respective city in 2025, according to Global Property Guide:

During the apartment hunt, there are a few strategies that prospective renters can use to negotiate the price. One of the best things to do is to arm yourself with research, experts say. For example, you can compare the listing prices of similar units in your neighborhood.

In addition, you can try to negotiate any additional fees or ask for the place to be furnished when you move in. Another strategy that is often forgotten, is that people can still negotiate their monthly rent even if they’ve already been living in the apartment.

In a CNBC Make It video, author and television host Ramit Sethi suggested that renters can approach their landlords and say:

While a landlord may still say “no,” renters can end up saving thousands a year if they are able to successfully negotiate a new deal, added Sethi.

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