Is now a good time to buy a property in Daejeon? (January 2026)

Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the South Korea Property Pack

Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our South Korea Property Pack

Is it smart to buy now in Daejeon, or should I wait as of 2026?

Do real estate prices look too high in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, property prices in Daejeon appear to be fairly valued rather than overheated, with new apartments typically trading around 20 million KRW per 3.3 square meters (roughly 510 million KRW for an 84-square-meter unit), which is significantly more affordable than Seoul's premium pricing.

One clear on-the-ground signal is that Daejeon saw an increase in unsold new apartment inventory during 2024, reaching over 16,000 units by mid-year, which gave buyers more negotiating power and suggests prices were not stretched to breaking point.

Another useful indicator is that individual house prices in Daejeon rose only about 1% in 2025 compared to the previous year, which points to a stable market rather than a speculative frenzy.

You can also read our latest update regarding the housing prices in Daejeon.

Does a property price drop look likely in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the likelihood of a meaningful property price decline in Daejeon over the next 12 months is low to medium, meaning a sharp crash is unlikely but a soft correction or prolonged flatness remains possible.

A plausible price change range for Daejeon over the next year would be somewhere between a 3% decline and a 5% increase, with outcomes depending heavily on whether credit conditions loosen or tighten further.

The single most important macro factor that could push prices down in Daejeon is credit availability, specifically whether the stress DSR lending rules remain strict, because these rules directly cap how much buyers can borrow regardless of their desire to purchase.

This risk factor is moderately likely to persist because the Bank of Korea has held the base rate at 2.50% entering 2026, and regulators have shown no signs of relaxing household debt controls outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

Finally, please note that we cover the price trends for next year in our pack about the property market in Daejeon.

Could property prices jump again in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the likelihood of a renewed price surge in Daejeon within the next 12 months is low to medium, because the credit environment remains disciplined and there is no "cheap money" catalyst like the 2020 to 2021 period.

If positive conditions align, a plausible upside range for Daejeon over the next year would be around 3 to 7% appreciation, concentrated mainly in specific corridors rather than spread evenly across the city.

The single biggest demand-side trigger that could drive prices to jump again in Daejeon would be credit easing, specifically if the Bank of Korea cuts rates more aggressively than expected or if regulators relax the stress DSR rules for non-Seoul regions.

Please also note that we regularly publish and update real estate price forecasts for Daejeon here.

Are we in a buyer or a seller market in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the Daejeon property market is leaning buyer-friendly overall, though sellers in prime locations like central Seo-gu and Yuseong-gu apartments still hold some leverage due to consistent demand.

A rough proxy for months-of-inventory in Daejeon suggests the market is carrying more stock than during the 2021 peak, which typically means buyers have more time to negotiate and less pressure to rush into decisions.

The share of listings with price reductions has increased compared to prior years, particularly for older apartments and villas, which suggests that sellers in these segments are adjusting expectations and that buyers can push for better deals.

Are homes overpriced, or fairly priced in Daejeon as of 2026?

Are homes overpriced versus rents or versus incomes in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, homes in Daejeon appear fair-to-slightly-expensive when compared to local rents and incomes, meaning they are not in bubble territory but also not cheap enough to be obvious bargains.

The estimated price-to-rent ratio in Daejeon sits around 25 to 33 for mainstream apartments, which is above the 15 to 20 range typically considered balanced, indicating that buying is more expensive than renting on a pure cash-flow basis, but this is normal for Korean markets where Jeonse (lump-sum deposits) distort simple comparisons.

The estimated price-to-income multiple in Daejeon is roughly 6 to 9 times annual household income for a typical new 84-square-meter apartment, which is stretched but not extreme compared to Seoul's double-digit multiples, and still within reach for dual-income professional households.

Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon.

Are home prices above the long-term average in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, Daejeon property prices are within a high-level plateau period but not dramatically above long-term trend, meaning they have risen from pre-pandemic levels but have not spiked as sharply as Seoul.

The estimated recent 12-month price change in Daejeon has been modest, around 1 to 3% for most property types, which is slower than the pre-pandemic pace of 5 to 10% annual gains seen during the boom years.

In inflation-adjusted terms, Daejeon prices are likely near or slightly below their prior cycle peak from 2021 to 2022, suggesting that real purchasing power has not been eroded as badly as in the capital region and there may be room for recovery.

What local changes could move prices in Daejeon as of 2026?

Are big infrastructure projects coming to Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the single biggest planned infrastructure project in Daejeon is the Urban Railway Line 2 hydrogen tram, which is expected to add accessibility premiums of 5 to 15% in neighborhoods within walking distance of new stations, based on typical Korean transit premium patterns.

The project spans approximately 38.8 kilometers with around 45 stations in a circular configuration, with construction already underway and completion targeted for the late 2020s, meaning the price effects are beginning to show up now in anticipation.

For the latest updates on the local projects, you can read our property market analysis about Daejeon here.

Are zoning or building rules changing in Daejeon as of 2026?

The most important rule changes affecting Daejeon's property market are coming from national-level housing supply and reconstruction policies rather than uniquely local zoning revisions, as Korea's government has been actively mixing tightening in hot areas with supply pushes elsewhere.

As of January 2026, any effective zoning or building rule changes in Daejeon would likely support modest new supply without dramatically altering land values, because the city is not designated as a speculative zone like Seoul and therefore faces less regulatory intervention.

If major zoning liberalization were to occur, the areas most likely to benefit would be older neighborhoods in Jung-gu and Dong-gu where redevelopment potential is highest and current building heights are restricted.

Are foreign-buyer or mortgage rules changing in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the direction of mortgage rule changes in Daejeon is toward continued discipline rather than loosening, with the stress DSR framework still capping borrowing capacity even as the Bank of Korea has cut rates from their 2024 peak.

For foreign buyers, there are currently no major restrictions specific to Daejeon, though national-level discussions about introducing reciprocity requirements or tighter reporting continue, which could affect foreign purchasers in the future.

The most impactful mortgage rule for Daejeon buyers is the stress DSR stage 3 implementation, which applies a 0.75% stress rate to non-Seoul area mortgages and effectively reduces maximum loan amounts by forcing lenders to assume higher future interest burdens.

You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in South Korea.

Will it be easy to find tenants in Daejeon as of 2026?

Is the renter pool growing faster than new supply in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the balance between renter-demand growth and new rental supply in Daejeon is roughly stable, with demand strongest in tech and university corridors like Yuseong-gu while supply has caught up in some newer development areas.

The most encouraging demand signal is Daejeon's population reversal: after declining since 2013, the city gained around 2,800 net residents by late 2025, with the most common reason for moving being work-related factors, which directly supports rental demand near employment centers.

On the supply side, new apartment completions in Daejeon have been steady but not overwhelming, and the city's unsold inventory from 2024 has been gradually absorbed, meaning landlords in good locations are not competing against a flood of new units.

Are days-on-market for rentals falling in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, days-on-market for rentals in Daejeon's best areas like Dunsan-dong and Gung-dong are stable-to-falling, meaning well-located units are finding tenants relatively quickly, while weaker areas may sit longer.

The difference between best areas and weaker areas in Daejeon can be significant: a modern apartment near Chungnam National University or Daedeok Innopolis might rent within two to four weeks, while an older villa in a peripheral district could take two to three months.

One common reason days-on-market falls in Daejeon is when tight credit rules push would-be buyers to remain renters longer, which increases the tenant pool without adding to supply.

Are vacancies dropping in the best areas of Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, vacancy rates in Daejeon's best-performing rental areas like Dunsan-dong, Wolpyeong-dong in Seo-gu and Gung-dong, Bongmyeong-dong in Yuseong-gu appear to be stable-to-dropping, supported by multiple tenant pipelines from universities, research institutes, and government workers.

These best areas typically run vacancy rates of around 2 to 4%, which is lower than the citywide average, because they attract a diverse mix of students, young professionals, and families who prioritize commute times and amenities.

One practical sign that these areas are tightening first is when landlords stop offering free months or reduced deposits to attract tenants, and instead start receiving multiple applications within days of listing, which agents in Yuseong-gu have reported seeing more frequently.

By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current rent levels in Daejeon.

Am I buying into a tightening market in Daejeon as of 2026?

Is for-sale inventory shrinking in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, for-sale inventory in Daejeon is not consistently shrinking and has been relatively stable compared to last year, with some segments like premium apartments seeing tighter supply while villas and older stock remain more available.

Estimating exact months-of-supply for Daejeon is difficult because local data is less granular than Seoul, but based on transaction volume and listing patterns, the market appears to be in the five to eight months range for most apartment types, which is closer to balanced than tight.

The main reason inventory is not shrinking dramatically is that credit restrictions are limiting buyer activity, which keeps listings on the market longer and prevents the kind of rapid absorption seen during boom periods.

Are homes selling faster in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the median time-to-sell for homes in Daejeon is neither dramatically speeding up nor slowing down, with well-priced apartments in Seo-gu and Yuseong-gu moving within four to eight weeks while less desirable properties can take three to six months.

Year-over-year, the change in median days-on-market for Daejeon appears roughly flat, as transaction volumes increased significantly in early 2025 (up 1.7 times from the prior year) but have since stabilized as credit rules remained tight.

Are new listings slowing down in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, we estimate that new for-sale listings in Daejeon are roughly flat to slightly lower than the same period last year, though we acknowledge this is harder to track precisely than in Seoul where data is more granular.

Daejeon's typical seasonal pattern shows fewer listings in winter months and a pickup in spring, and the current level appears to be in line with this pattern rather than unusually low or high.

The most plausible reason new listings might be subdued is that existing owners with favorable mortgage rates are reluctant to sell and re-enter the market under tighter borrowing rules, a phenomenon sometimes called "rate lock-in."

Is new construction failing to keep up in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, we do not see strong evidence of a severe undersupply in Daejeon overall, though there can be local shortages of the specific product type renters and buyers most want, namely modern apartments in top school and commute zones.

The recent trend in new completions and permits in Daejeon has been steady, with the city's unsold inventory from the 2024 oversupply period being gradually absorbed, which suggests supply and demand are finding balance rather than diverging sharply.

If there is a bottleneck limiting new construction in Daejeon, it is most likely project financing difficulties that have affected the entire Korean construction sector, rather than permitting or land availability issues specific to this city.

Will it be easy to sell later in Daejeon as of 2026?

Is resale liquidity strong enough in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, resale liquidity in Daejeon is reasonably strong for mainstream apartments in established districts, meaning you can expect to sell within a few months if your pricing is realistic, though niche property types will take longer.

The median days-on-market for resale apartments in Daejeon's Seo-gu and Yuseong-gu cores is roughly four to eight weeks for well-priced units, which compares favorably to a "healthy liquidity" benchmark of under three months.

The property characteristic that most improves resale liquidity in Daejeon is being a larger apartment (84 to 115 square meters) in a well-known complex with strong school district access and proximity to metro or future tram stations.

Is selling time getting longer in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, selling time in Daejeon has increased modestly compared to the peak transaction periods of early 2025, but remains within normal ranges for a market operating under tighter credit conditions.

The current median days-on-market in Daejeon ranges from about 30 to 60 days for desirable apartments, up to 90 to 180 days for villas, older units, or properties in peripheral districts.

One clear reason selling time can lengthen in Daejeon is affordability pressure from stress DSR rules: when buyers qualify for smaller loans, the pool of eligible purchasers shrinks, and sellers must either wait longer or adjust their asking price.

Is it realistic to exit with profit in Daejeon as of 2026?

As of January 2026, the likelihood of selling with a profit in Daejeon is medium if you hold for a typical period of three to five years, assuming you buy at fair value and avoid the most overpriced new-build premiums.

The estimated minimum holding period in Daejeon that most often makes exiting with profit realistic is around three years, which allows time for the market to absorb transaction costs and for any local catalysts like the tram line to begin affecting prices.

The estimated total round-trip cost in Daejeon, including acquisition tax, agent fees, and selling costs, is roughly 8 to 12% of the purchase price (approximately 40 to 60 million KRW on a 500 million KRW property, or around 30,000 to 45,000 USD or 28,000 to 42,000 EUR at current rates).

One clear factor that most increases profit odds in Daejeon is buying in a corridor that will benefit from the Urban Railway Line 2 tram before the accessibility premium is fully priced in, such as areas near planned transfer stations in Yuseong-gu or Seo-gu.

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 Daejeon, 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.