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If you're a foreigner thinking about buying an apartment in Daegu for rental income, you're probably wondering what kind of returns you can actually expect.
This guide breaks down everything from gross and net yields to neighborhood demand and the costs that will eat into your profits, all written for early 2026.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest market conditions and regulations in Daegu.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Daegu.
What rental yields can I realistically get from an apartment in Daegu?
What's the average gross rental yield for apartments in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for apartments in Daegu sits around 3.5%, which is modest but typical for a secondary Korean city where prices have declined while rents stay relatively stable.
Most apartment investments in Daegu fall within a gross yield range of 3.0% to 4.5%, with smaller units often pushing toward the higher end and larger family apartments landing closer to the lower end.
The biggest factor causing yield variations in Daegu is location relative to the elite school zones in Suseong-gu, where purchase prices carry a premium that compresses yields down to 2.5% to 3.0%, even though rents there remain healthy.
Compared to Seoul, where gross yields average around 4.3% despite sky-high prices, Daegu's yields are similar but come with lower entry costs and less competition, making Daegu attractive for budget-conscious investors who want stable rental income without Seoul's price volatility.
What's the average net rental yield for apartments in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average net rental yield for apartments in Daegu is around 2.6%, which reflects the reality that Korean apartment ownership comes with significant recurring costs beyond just the mortgage.
Most Daegu apartment investors can realistically expect net yields between 2.0% and 3.2%, depending on how well they manage building fees, vacancy periods, and maintenance expenses.
The single biggest expense that reduces gross yield to net yield in Daegu is the building service charge (관리비), which typically runs 15% to 30% of monthly rent and covers elevator maintenance, security, cleaning, heating system management, and common area utilities that are standard in Korean apartment living.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Daegu.
What's the typical rent-to-price ratio for apartments in Daegu in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical rent-to-price ratio for apartments in Daegu is around 3% to 4%, which essentially mirrors the gross yield since most long-term rentals use straightforward monthly rent (월세) structures.
Most apartment transactions in Daegu show rent-to-price ratios between 2.8% and 4.5%, with the higher end achievable mainly in smaller units and renter-heavy locations near universities or transit hubs.
The highest rent-to-price ratios in Daegu tend to appear in Buk-gu near Chilseong-dong, parts of Dalseo-gu around the Seongseo industrial area, and smaller units near Dongdaegu Station, where purchase prices stay reasonable while rental demand from students and young workers keeps rents stable.
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How much rent can I charge for an apartment in Daegu?
What's the typical tenant budget range for apartments in Daegu right now?
In Daegu in early 2026, the typical monthly tenant budget for renting an apartment ranges from ₩400,000 to ₩1,200,000 (roughly $275 to $820 or €235 to €700), depending on unit size and location.
Tenants targeting mid-range apartments in Daegu typically budget ₩600,000 to ₩900,000 per month ($410 to $615 or €350 to €525), which gets them a decent 1-bed or small 2-bed in a well-connected neighborhood with good transit access.
For high-end or luxury apartments, especially newer units in Suseong-gu school zones or premium complexes near Dongdaegu Station, tenants budget ₩1,000,000 to ₩1,500,000 per month ($685 to $1,025 or €585 to €875), though this segment is smaller and more selective.
We have a blog article where we update the latest data about rents in Daegu here.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Daegu is around ₩600,000 ($410 or €350), which reflects solid demand from students, young professionals, and single-person households that make up a growing share of Daegu's renter population.
Entry-level 1-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩450,000 to ₩550,000 per month ($310 to $375 or €265 to €320), typically in older buildings in areas like Buk-gu or the outer parts of Dalseo-gu, where you get basic finishes and walkable access to local shops but not premium transit.
Mid-range 1-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩550,000 to ₩700,000 per month ($375 to $480 or €320 to €410), usually in well-managed complexes near metro stations in Jung-gu or Nam-gu, with modern kitchens and building security.
High-end 1-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩700,000 to ₩850,000 per month ($480 to $580 or €410 to €495), typically in newer construction near Suseong-gu or around Dongdaegu Station, featuring premium finishes, concierge services, and excellent school or commuter access.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bed apartment in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bed apartment in Daegu is around ₩850,000 ($580 or €495), representing the core of the family rental market where most long-term tenants are looking for stability near schools and workplaces.
Entry-level 2-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩650,000 to ₩750,000 per month ($445 to $515 or €380 to €440), typically in older complexes in areas like Nam-gu or the western parts of Dalseo-gu, with basic but functional layouts and decent building maintenance.
Mid-range 2-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩750,000 to ₩950,000 per month ($515 to $650 or €440 to €555), usually in established complexes with good school access in areas like Wolseong-dong or Sangin-dong, featuring updated kitchens and secure parking.
High-end 2-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩950,000 to ₩1,150,000 per month ($650 to $785 or €555 to €670), typically in premium Suseong-gu locations like Beomeo-dong or Manchon-dong, where tenants pay extra for elite school zones and newer building amenities.
What's the average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment in Daegu is around ₩1,050,000 ($720 or €615), reflecting lower rent-per-square-meter but higher absolute costs and typically longer tenant stays from families prioritizing space and school access.
Entry-level 3-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩850,000 to ₩950,000 per month ($580 to $650 or €495 to €555), usually in older stock in areas like the outer edges of Dong-gu or less central parts of Dalseo-gu, where families accept dated finishes for more space.
Mid-range 3-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩950,000 to ₩1,150,000 per month ($650 to $785 or €555 to €670), typically in well-maintained complexes in Nam-gu or established Dalseo-gu neighborhoods, with good school proximity and reliable building management.
High-end 3-bed apartments in Daegu rent for ₩1,150,000 to ₩1,400,000 per month ($785 to $960 or €670 to €820), concentrated in Suseong-gu premium pockets like Hwanggeum-dong or Siji-dong, where families compete for top school district access and modern amenities.
How fast do well-priced apartments get rented in Daegu?
A well-priced apartment in Daegu typically rents within 2 to 6 weeks, with smaller units near universities or metro stations often moving faster in 1 to 3 weeks, while larger family apartments in premium school zones can take 4 to 8 weeks due to more selective tenants.
The typical vacancy rate for apartments in Daegu hovers around 3% to 5%, which is manageable but higher than Seoul's tighter market, reflecting Daegu's slower population growth and the ongoing regional divergence from the capital.
The main factors that make some Daegu apartments rent faster than others are proximity to Daegu Metro Lines 1 and 2, access to sought-after school zones in Suseong-gu, and location near major employment hubs like the Seongseo industrial area or Dongdaegu Station, where tenant demand stays consistent year-round.
And if you want to know what should be the right price, check our latest update on how much an apartment should cost in Daegu.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in South Korea versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Which apartment type gives the best yield in Daegu?
Which is better for yield between studios, 1-bed, 2-bed and 3-bed apartments in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, studios and 1-bed apartments typically offer the best rental yields in Daegu, followed by 2-beds for stability and 3-beds for family-focused landlords who prioritize low turnover over maximum returns.
The typical gross rental yield by apartment type in Daegu breaks down as follows: studios yield around 3.8% to 5.0%, 1-beds yield around 3.2% to 4.6%, 2-beds yield around 2.6% to 3.9%, and 3-beds yield around 2.2% to 3.3%.
The main reason smaller units outperform in Daegu is that Korea's household sizes keep shrinking, with single-person and two-person households now dominating Daegu's renter pool, creating deep demand for compact apartments while larger family units face thinner buyer and renter pools that compress their yield potential.
Which features are best if you want a good yield for your apartment in Daegu?
The features that most positively impact rental yield in Daegu are walkable access to Daegu Metro stations (especially Lines 1 and 2), proximity to universities like Kyungpook National University or Keimyung University, and efficient smaller floorplans that maximize rent per square meter without pushing into premium price territory.
Mid-level floors (roughly 5th to 15th floor) tend to rent fastest in Daegu because they balance natural light and views against elevator wait times, while ground floors and very high floors often sit longer unless they have specific advantages like private outdoor space or panoramic city views.
Apartments with balconies or enclosed utility spaces do command slightly higher rents in Daegu, but the premium is modest (maybe 3% to 5%) and mostly matters for family tenants who value drying space and storage, so it rarely justifies paying significantly more at purchase.
Building features like elevators, security systems, and parking do raise rents in Daegu, but they also come with higher building service charges (관리비), so you need to verify through K-apt that the fee increase doesn't wipe out the rental premium before assuming these features boost your net yield.
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Which neighborhoods give the best rental demand for apartments in Daegu?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rental demand for apartments in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods with the highest rental demand for apartments in Daegu are Suseong-gu (especially Beomeo-dong, Manchon-dong, and Hwanggeum-dong for families), Dong-gu near Dongdaegu Station (for commuters), and parts of Dalseo-gu like Sangin-dong and Wolseong-dong (for workers near employment hubs).
The main demand driver in these neighborhoods is access to Daegu's elite school zones in Suseong-gu and convenient commuting via Dongdaegu Station (Korea's busiest KTX hub outside Seoul), which creates year-round tenant interest from families relocating for education and professionals needing fast Seoul access.
In these high-demand Daegu neighborhoods, vacancy rates typically stay around 2% to 4% and well-priced units rent within 2 to 4 weeks, compared to 4 to 6 weeks in less sought-after areas.
One emerging neighborhood gaining rental demand momentum in Daegu is Siji-dong in southeastern Suseong-gu, where new apartment supply and expanding school infrastructure are attracting families who got priced out of central Suseong-gu but still want the district's education reputation.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Daegu.
Which neighborhoods have the highest yields for apartments in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods with the highest rental yields for apartments in Daegu are Buk-gu (around Chilseong-dong and university corridors), parts of Dalseo-gu near Seongseo industrial area, and selected pockets in Dong-gu near Dongdaegu Station where rents hold steady but purchase prices don't carry prestige premiums.
Gross yields in these top-yielding Daegu neighborhoods typically range from 4.0% to 5.5% for smaller units, compared to 2.5% to 3.5% in premium Suseong-gu school zones where prices are highest.
The main reason these neighborhoods offer higher yields is that they attract steady renter demand from students, young workers, and commuters without the price inflation that comes from elite school access, so you get decent rents without paying the prestige premium that compresses yields in Suseong-gu.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of South Korea. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Should I do long-term rental or short-term rental in Daegu?
Is short-term rental legal for apartments in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rentals for apartments in Daegu are legal only through specific registered pathways like tourist accommodation or urban homestay categories, not simply by listing any residential property on Airbnb without proper licensing.
The main legal restrictions in Daegu require that short-term rental operators register their property under Korea's Tourism Promotion Act, obtain the appropriate accommodation license, meet building safety requirements, and ensure the property's zoning classification allows lodging use, which many standard apartments do not.
For Airbnb-style rentals in Daegu, hosts must now submit business registration documentation and accommodation license information to continue accepting bookings, following Airbnb's October 2025 enforcement deadline that removed unlicensed listings, including most officetels and studios that couldn't legally register.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Daegu.
What's the gross yield difference short-term vs long-term in Daegu in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rentals in Daegu can potentially beat long-term gross yields by 1.0 to 3.0 percentage points, but only if you operate legally, maintain high occupancy, and manage the property professionally.
The typical gross yield comparison in Daegu shows long-term rentals (월세) generating 3.0% to 4.5% gross, while legal short-term rentals can potentially reach 4.5% to 7.0% gross in well-located, well-managed properties with consistent bookings.
The main additional costs that reduce the net yield advantage of short-term rentals in Daegu include cleaning fees between guests (often ₩50,000 to ₩80,000 per turnover), higher utility consumption, platform commission fees (typically 3% to 15%), furnishing and supply costs, and seasonal vacancy periods when tourist demand drops.
To outperform a long-term rental in Daegu, a short-term rental typically needs to maintain at least 55% to 65% occupancy at competitive nightly rates, which can be challenging outside peak tourist seasons and in a city that draws fewer international visitors than Seoul or Busan.
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What costs will eat into my net yield for an apartment in Daegu?
What are building service charges as a % of rent in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical building service charges (관리비) in Daegu run around 15% to 25% of monthly rent, which translates to roughly ₩100,000 to ₩200,000 ($70 to $135 or €60 to €115) per month for a standard apartment.
The realistic range of building service charges in Daegu spans from 12% of rent for older, basic complexes with minimal amenities up to 30% or more of rent for newer buildings with premium facilities like gyms, concierge services, and underground parking.
The services that typically justify higher-than-average service charges in Daegu include district heating system management (common in Korea's cold winters), 24-hour security staffing, elevator maintenance in taller buildings, and community facilities like fitness centers or reading rooms that larger complexes offer to attract premium tenants.
What annual maintenance budget should I assume for an apartment in Daegu right now?
A typical annual maintenance budget for an apartment in Daegu should be around ₩2,000,000 to ₩3,000,000 ($1,370 to $2,050 or €1,170 to €1,750), covering routine repairs, minor appliance replacements, and periodic refreshes between tenants.
The realistic range of annual maintenance costs in Daegu spans from ₩1,500,000 ($1,025 or €875) for newer buildings in good condition up to ₩4,000,000 ($2,740 or €2,340) for older stock where boilers, flooring, and plumbing may need more frequent attention.
The most common maintenance expenses Daegu apartment owners face include ondol floor heating system repairs (essential in Korea's harsh winters), boiler servicing, bathroom waterproofing touch-ups, kitchen appliance replacements, and wallpaper or flooring refreshes that Korean tenants expect between lease cycles.
What property taxes should I expect for an apartment in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical annual property taxes for a standard apartment in Daegu run around 0.10% to 0.25% of market value, which translates to roughly ₩300,000 to ₩800,000 ($205 to $550 or €175 to €470) per year for a ₩300 million apartment.
The realistic range of property taxes in Daegu depends heavily on assessed value and ownership profile, spanning from under ₩200,000 ($135 or €115) annually for modest units to several million won for high-value properties or owners holding multiple homes who face additional tax layers.
Property taxes for apartments in Daegu are calculated based on the officially assessed value (which often lags market value), with rates varying by property type and total holdings, plus a local education tax that applies to all real estate.
Property tax exemptions or reductions in Daegu are limited for rental investors, though first-time homebuyers and certain low-value properties may qualify for reduced rates, and you should verify your specific situation with a Korean tax professional before purchase.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Daegu.
How much does landlord insurance cost for an apartment in Daegu in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical annual landlord insurance for an apartment in Daegu costs around ₩200,000 to ₩350,000 ($135 to $240 or €115 to €205), covering basic property damage and liability protection.
The realistic range of annual landlord insurance costs in Daegu spans from ₩150,000 ($100 or €90) for minimal coverage on a modest unit up to ₩500,000 ($340 or €290) for comprehensive packages on higher-value properties with additional liability protection and tenant-related coverage.
What's the typical property management fee for apartments in Daegu as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical property management fees for apartments in Daegu run around 5% to 8% of collected rent, which translates to roughly ₩30,000 to ₩70,000 ($20 to $50 or €18 to €40) per month for a standard unit renting at ₩700,000.
The realistic range of property management fees in Daegu spans from 3% of rent for basic tenant-finding services up to 10% for full-service management that includes English-language support, maintenance coordination, and rent collection for foreign landlords.
Standard property management fees in Daegu typically include tenant sourcing, lease documentation, rent collection, basic maintenance coordination, and periodic property inspections, though more comprehensive packages add contractor management, tax document preparation, and emergency response for an additional fee.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in South Korea compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Daegu, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Korea Real Estate Board (REB) | Official public market monitor producing Korea's most referenced housing statistics. | We used REB as the anchor for official definitions of housing price and rent movements. We cross-checked private data against REB benchmarks to ensure consistency. |
| KOSIS (Korean Statistical Information Service) | Korea's national statistics portal for official government-approved datasets. | We treated KOSIS as the gold standard for housing indicators and household structure. We validated private-sector estimates against KOSIS-published official measures. |
| Statistics Korea (Population & Housing Census) | National statistics agency publishing official housing and household data. | We used it to understand why small apartments rent well based on household sizes. We framed Daegu-specific demand context using their housing growth statistics. |
| K-apt (Apartment Management Disclosure System) | Official government-backed system for apartment fee and maintenance transparency. | We used K-apt to estimate realistic building service charges that reduce net yield. We treated disclosed fees as predictable costs every Daegu investor should model. |
| Maeil Business Newspaper | Major national newspaper citing established price data provider Real Estate 114. | We used it as a concrete Daegu-specific price anchor for purchase cost estimates. We cross-checked against Korea-level sources to avoid single-dataset reliance. |
| Savills Korea Research | Global real estate consultancy with formal methodology and consistent reporting. | We used it for institutional context on Korea's rental market structure and ownership patterns. We kept our foreigner-friendly explanations accurate using their frameworks. |
| HOUSTAT (Korea Housing Finance Statistics) | Official housing-finance portal documenting affordability methodology and inputs. | We used it to ground tenant budget discussions in affordability and interest-rate context. We justified conservative yield assumptions using their methodology notes. |
| Global Property Guide | Long-running international property research site citing official underlying sources. | We used it as a cross-check for national yield ranges and market structure. We only leaned on it where it aligned with official statistical framing. |
| Airbnb Help Center (Korea) | Primary-source platform policy page summarizing real compliance requirements. | We used it to outline registration and reporting requirements for short-term rentals. We cross-checked with Korean legal sources to avoid relying solely on platform guidance. |
| KLRI (Korea Law Information Center) | Official Korean legal text translation source for verifying actual statute language. | We used it to confirm legal definitions of urban homestay categories. We explained why many apartments cannot legally operate as short-term rentals without proper registration. |
| The Korea Herald | Major English-language national outlet reporting policy changes and enforcement. | We used it to reflect October 2025 regulatory changes for short-term rentals. We kept our guidance date-specific and avoided outdated pre-2025 information. |
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