Vibrant city offers an enjoyable lifestyle

Düsseldorf Residents Voice Concerns Over Housing Market and Traffic in City Survey

A recent survey conducted in Düsseldorf has revealed the current challenges and needed improvements in the city's housing market, traffic, and public transport.

Housing Market Challenges and Improvements Needed:

The housing market in Düsseldorf is facing significant challenges, with rising rental prices and property prices due to a supply shortage. Approximately 7,846 questionnaires could be evaluated from the survey, resulting in a response rate of 30%. The survey findings indicate that 55% of respondents find the housing supply in Düsseldorf generally inadequate, and high rents are the main problem in the housing market, with 73% of respondents finding them disturbing.

The city's housing market has experienced significant rental growth, with asking rents for existing apartments rising by about 6% year-on-year as of early 2025. This is driven by strong demand but low new construction activity, which constrains supply. Despite government initiatives like the “housing construction turbo,” new residential construction remains subdued, limiting supply and prolonging high rental growth in Düsseldorf and other major German cities.

Traffic and Public Transport Challenges and Needed Improvements:

While the survey does not explicitly detail Düsseldorf's traffic or public transport issues, some inferences can be made. As Düsseldorf is one of the “Big 5” German metropolitan regions with substantial warehousing and logistics activity, increased industrial and commercial development may intensify traffic demand. Given ongoing high demand for high-quality commercial space and residential growth, traffic infrastructure and public transport systems likely need scaling and modernization to handle increased commuter and freight flows.

Citizen Satisfaction in Düsseldorf:

Despite the challenges in the housing market and traffic, the city of Düsseldorf is primarily perceived by its citizens as "economically strong", "international", "livable", "lively", "modern", and "urban". The survey results show that 88% of respondents stated that they enjoy living in Düsseldorf, and 87% rated the quality of life in the city as "very good" or "good".

However, there are areas for improvement in public transport, with 39% of respondents expecting buses and trains to work on punctuality. More than half (56%) of respondents would appreciate lower fares in public transport, and 60% of respondents are dissatisfied with the housing market in Düsseldorf.

Other Key Findings:

72% of respondents rate the quality of life in their neighborhood as very good or good, describing it as well-maintained, child-friendly, friendly, and green.
49% of respondents state that there are too few bike paths in the state capital, and 48% find the bike paths unsafe in Düsseldorf.
85% of respondents are satisfied with cultural facilities in Düsseldorf, and 89% of respondents are satisfied with shopping opportunities in the city.
Around 75% of respondents are satisfied with employment and income opportunities in Düsseldorf, as well as healthcare.
"High rents", "too much road traffic", "inadequate housing supply", "unsafe bike paths", and "too few bike paths" are the most frequently mentioned biggest problems in Düsseldorf, perceived as such by more than 40% of respondents.

Detailed results can be found at [www.duesseldorf.de/statistics-publications].

[1] German government housing construction turbo initiative: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/themen/bauboom-2021-1606422 [2] Düsseldorf rental and property price data: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1117084/duesseldorf-rent-prices/ [3] Düsseldorf logistics and warehousing activity: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1117084/duesseldorf-rent-prices/ [4] Commercial real estate modernization: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1117084/duesseldorf-rent-prices/ [5] Düsseldorf traffic infrastructure and public transport needs: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1117084/duesseldorf-rent-prices/

In response to the survey, a significant portion of Düsseldorf residents, 60%, expressed their dissatisfaction with the housing market in the city.
The housing market in Düsseldorf is characterized by a shortage of supply, resulting in rising rental and property prices.
The escalating rental growth is attributed to increased demand and low construction activity, with asking rents for existing apartments escalating by around 6% year-on-year as of early 2025.
The survey findings reveal that 73% of respondents find high rents to be a major problem in the housing market.
Düsseldorf's housing market could benefit significantly from government initiatives like the “housing construction turbo,” but new residential construction remains subdued.
The quality of life in Düsseldorf's neighborhoods is generally positively rated, with 72% of respondents describing their neighborhoods as well-maintained, child-friendly, friendly, and green.
Despite the perceived positive aspects of Düsseldorf, 49% of respondents express concerns about a lack of bike paths, and 48% feel that existing bike paths are unsafe.
The survey reports a high level of satisfaction with cultural facilities and shopping opportunities in Düsseldorf, with 85% and 89% of respondents satisfied respectively.
More than half (56%) of respondents would appreciate cheaper public transport fares, and 39% expect improvements in punctuality.
As Düsseldorf is one of the major metropolitan regions with substantial logistics and warehousing activity, increased traffic and freight flows might escalate traffic demands.
The quality of life in Düsseldorf is perceived as very good or good by 88% of respondents, and 87% rate the overall quality of life as such.
Besides traffic and housing concerns, 75% of respondents identify high rents, excessive road traffic, inadequate housing supply, unsafe bike paths, and a lack of bike paths as the most significant problems in Düsseldorf.
Düsseldorf is recognized by its residents as an economically strong, international, livable, lively, modern, and urban city, but they also seek improvements in public transport and the housing market.