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Daejeon is South Korea's science and technology hub, and its property market in 2026 reflects a city where demand concentrates in neighborhoods with good schools, new apartments, and easy access to research clusters.
In this article, we cover the current housing prices in Daejeon, the neighborhoods showing the strongest growth, and our forecasts for 2026, 5 years, and 10 years ahead.
We constantly update this blog post as new data becomes available, so you always get the freshest picture of the Daejeon real estate market.
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 Daejeon.
Insights
- The typical home price in Daejeon in January 2026 sits around 520 million won, which is roughly 20% below Seoul levels but commands a premium over smaller regional cities thanks to Daejeon's tech and research economy.
- Newer apartments in Yuseong-gu's Doan-dong and Noeun-dong are outpacing the citywide average by 3 to 4 percentage points annually, driven by proximity to Daedeok Innopolis and top-rated school districts.
- Daejeon Metro Line 2, which broke ground in late 2024 after 28 years of planning, is already influencing buyer interest in station-adjacent neighborhoods before a single train has run.
- Bank of Korea's base rate of 2.50% in January 2026 keeps mortgage costs elevated, limiting the number of buyers who can stretch for premium properties and creating a two-speed market.
- Officetels in Daejeon show the weakest appreciation among residential property types, with annual gains near 1 to 2%, because they compete directly with new apartment supply and are more sensitive to interest rates.
- Seo-gu's Dunsan-dong remains Daejeon's most expensive neighborhood, where school-zone premiums push 84-square-meter apartment prices above 800 million won in select complexes.
- Daejeon's 5-year property forecast points to roughly 18% cumulative growth, translating to about 3.3% per year, which is slower than Seoul but steadier than many other regional cities facing population decline.
- Household debt controls remain a binding constraint: even if rates ease, lending rules act as a speed limit on how many buyers can enter the market in any given quarter.
What are the current property price trends in Daejeon as of 2026?
What is the average house price in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the estimated average home price in Daejeon across all common residential property types is around 520 million won (approximately $360,000 USD or €310,000 EUR), which positions the city as more affordable than Seoul but pricier than many smaller regional markets.
The average price per square meter for properties in Daejeon in 2026 is approximately 6.6 million won per square meter ($4,500 USD or €3,900 EUR per square meter), though this varies significantly between neighborhoods and building ages.
For context, about 80% of residential property purchases in Daejeon fall within a range of 300 million to 800 million won (roughly $210,000 to $550,000 USD, or €180,000 to €475,000 EUR), with the wide spread reflecting the gap between older villas and new-build apartments in prime districts.
How much have property prices increased in Daejeon over the past 12 months?
Property prices in Daejeon increased by an estimated 4% year-on-year between January 2025 and January 2026, which represents a modest recovery after the slower growth seen in 2024.
When you look at different property types, the range of price increases in Daejeon over the past 12 months spans from nearly flat for officetels and older villas to around 5% to 8% for newer apartments in sought-after school districts like Dunsan-dong and Doan-dong.
The single most significant factor behind this price movement has been the concentration of demand into "safe" liquid assets, meaning newer apartments in neighborhoods with good schools and job access, while less connected areas saw minimal appreciation.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest rising property prices in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three neighborhoods with the fastest rising property prices in Daejeon are Doan-dong and Noeun-dong in Yuseong-gu, along with Dunsan-dong in Seo-gu, all of which combine newer housing stock with strong school reputations and proximity to job centers.
Approximate annual price growth for these neighborhoods runs between 6% and 8% for Doan-dong and Noeun-dong, and around 5% to 7% for Dunsan-dong, outpacing the citywide average by a notable margin.
The main demand driver behind these fast-rising neighborhoods is the combination of top-tier education access and commute convenience to Daedeok Innopolis and central Daejeon offices, which makes them the default choice for professional families willing to pay a premium for certainty.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges across neighborhoods in our property pack covering the real estate market in Daejeon.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in South Korea. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which property types are increasing faster in value in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the ranking of property types by value appreciation in Daejeon goes from newer apartments at the top (fastest), followed by family-size resale apartments, then detached houses, villas and low-rise multi-family units, and finally officetels at the bottom (slowest).
The top-performing property type, newer apartments in prime districts, is appreciating at approximately 5% to 8% annually in Daejeon, depending on the specific complex and its school-zone credentials.
The main reason apartments outperform other property types in Daejeon is liquidity: they are easier to finance, easier to resell, and represent the default housing choice for Korean families, which creates a self-reinforcing demand premium.
Finally, if you're interested in a specific property type, you will find our latest analyses here:
- How much do properties cost in Daejeon?
- How much should you pay for an apartment in Daejeon?
- How much should you pay for a studio in Daejeon?
What is driving property prices up or down in Daejeon as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three factors driving property prices in Daejeon are the city's role as a science and technology hub attracting stable professional demand, the momentum behind Daejeon Metro Line 2 construction, and the ongoing household debt management policies that limit how fast credit can re-accelerate.
The single factor with the strongest upward pressure on property prices in Daejeon is the concentration of research and innovation jobs in Daedeok Innopolis, which creates a resilient base of buyers who prioritize neighborhoods with good commutes and schools.
If you want to understand these factors at a deeper level, you can read our latest property market analysis about Daejeon here.
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What is the property price forecast for Daejeon in 2026?
How much are property prices expected to increase in Daejeon in 2026?
As of January 2026, property prices in Daejeon are expected to increase by approximately 3.5% over the full year, representing a moderate but steady pace of appreciation.
The realistic range of forecasts from different analysts for property price growth in Daejeon in 2026 spans from +1% in a cautious scenario to +6% in an optimistic scenario, depending on how interest rates and credit conditions evolve.
The main assumption underlying most price increase forecasts for Daejeon is that the Bank of Korea will gradually ease monetary policy while household debt controls remain in place, creating a "controlled recovery" rather than a sharp rebound.
We go deeper and try to understand how solid are these forecasts in our pack covering the property market in Daejeon.
Which neighborhoods will see the highest price growth in Daejeon in 2026?
As of January 2026, the neighborhoods expected to see the highest price growth in Daejeon are Doan-dong, Gwanpyeong-dong, and Noeun-dong in Yuseong-gu, along with Dunsan-dong and Wolpyeong-dong in Seo-gu.
Projected price growth for these top neighborhoods in Daejeon in 2026 ranges from 5% to 8%, outpacing the citywide average by 2 to 4 percentage points.
The primary catalyst driving expected growth in these neighborhoods is the combination of school-zone demand, proximity to Daedeok research clusters, and newer housing stock that buyers perceive as lower risk.
One emerging neighborhood in Daejeon that could surprise with higher-than-expected growth is Gayang-dong in Dong-gu, where future Metro Line 2 stations may shift commute dynamics and attract buyers priced out of Seo-gu and Yuseong-gu.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Daejeon.
What property types will appreciate the most in Daejeon in 2026?
As of January 2026, newer apartments and family-size apartments in prime districts are expected to appreciate the most in Daejeon, continuing the pattern from recent years.
The projected appreciation for top-performing apartments in Daejeon in 2026 is around 5% to 8%, with the strongest gains concentrated in complexes with brand-name developers and established school zones.
The main demand trend driving appreciation for apartments is the Korean preference for liquid, easily financed assets, combined with tight lending rules that push buyers toward "safe" property types they can resell quickly if needed.
The property type expected to underperform in Daejeon in 2026 is officetels, which face competition from new apartment supply and are more sensitive to interest rate movements, likely appreciating at just 1% to 2%.
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.
How will interest rates affect property prices in Daejeon in 2026?
As of January 2026, current interest rate trends are creating a two-speed property market in Daejeon, where prime apartments attract demand while less liquid property types stagnate as financing costs remain elevated.
The Bank of Korea's base rate sits at 2.50% in January 2026, with mortgage rates for long-term fixed loans running around 3.90% to 4.20%, and the central bank has signaled it will consider further cuts only if inflation and financial stability conditions allow.
As a general rule, a 1% change in mortgage rates typically affects property affordability by shifting the buying power of households by 8% to 12% in Daejeon, which can either unlock or freeze a significant portion of potential buyers depending on the direction.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in South Korea.
What are the biggest risks for property prices in Daejeon in 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three biggest risks for property prices in Daejeon are a tightening of credit controls or household debt regulations, currency volatility keeping monetary policy cautious, and localized oversupply in certain villa and officetel micro-markets.
The single risk with the highest probability of materializing in Daejeon is credit constraint persistence, where lending rules remain tight even if the base rate falls, effectively capping how many buyers can enter the market at any given time.
We actually cover all these risks and their likelihoods in our pack about the real estate market in Daejeon.
Is it a good time to buy a rental property in Daejeon in 2026?
As of January 2026, buying a rental property in Daejeon can be a reasonable decision if you focus on liquid apartments near job centers and schools, but it requires conservative underwriting and realistic expectations about rent growth.
The strongest argument in favor of buying a rental property now in Daejeon is that prime neighborhoods still offer steady tenant demand from professionals working in the Daedeok research cluster, and prices have not yet fully recovered to prior peaks.
The strongest argument for waiting before buying a rental property in Daejeon is that interest rates remain elevated and household debt controls could tighten further, which would limit both your financing options and the pool of future buyers when you want to exit.
If you want to know our latest analysis (results may differ from what you just read), you can read our assessment on whether now is a good time to buy a property in Daejeon.
You'll also find a dedicated document about this specific question in our pack about real estate in Daejeon.
Buying real estate in Daejeon can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Where will property prices be in 5 years in Daejeon?
What is the 5-year property price forecast for Daejeon as of 2026?
As of January 2026, cumulative property price growth in Daejeon over the next 5 years is estimated at approximately 18%, bringing the typical home from around 520 million won today to roughly 615 million won by 2031.
The range of 5-year forecasts for Daejeon spans from about 10% cumulative growth in a conservative scenario (where credit stays tight and macro headwinds persist) to around 25% in an optimistic scenario (where rates fall and infrastructure delivery boosts demand).
This translates to a projected average annual appreciation rate of about 3.3% per year over the next 5 years in Daejeon, which is slower than Seoul but steadier than many regional cities facing population decline.
The key assumption most forecasters rely on for their 5-year predictions is that Daejeon will maintain its role as a science and technology hub, supporting professional housing demand even as broader demographic headwinds affect other parts of Korea.
Which areas in Daejeon will have the best price growth over the next 5 years?
The top three areas in Daejeon expected to have the best price growth over the next 5 years are Yuseong-gu (especially Doan-dong, Gwanpyeong-dong, and Noeun-dong), Seo-gu (Dunsan-dong and Wolpyeong-dong), and select pockets along the future Metro Line 2 corridor.
Projected 5-year cumulative price growth for these top-performing areas in Daejeon ranges from 22% to 30%, outpacing the citywide average by 4 to 12 percentage points.
This is largely consistent with our shorter-term 2026 forecast, but the 5-year view adds more weight to infrastructure delivery, meaning neighborhoods that benefit from Metro Line 2 stations could see acceleration once the project progresses.
The currently undervalued area in Daejeon with the best potential for outperformance over 5 years is Daeheung-dong in Jung-gu, where selective redevelopment projects could transform pockets of older housing into more attractive options for buyers priced out of Seo-gu.
What property type will give the best return in Daejeon over 5 years as of 2026?
As of January 2026, mid-to-large apartments in prime districts are expected to give the best total return over 5 years in Daejeon, combining steady appreciation with reliable rental demand.
The projected 5-year total return for top-performing apartments in Daejeon, including both appreciation and rental income, is estimated at 25% to 35%, depending on location and building quality.
The main structural trend favoring apartments over the next 5 years is Korea's well-documented "apartment liquidity premium," where families prioritize the ease of financing, resale depth, and standardized quality that apartments offer over other property types.
For buyers seeking the best balance of return and lower risk over 5 years in Daejeon, family-size apartments in Seo-gu and Yuseong-gu cores represent the safest bet, as they offer the deepest resale markets and most predictable demand profiles.
How will new infrastructure projects affect property prices in Daejeon over 5 years?
The top three major infrastructure projects expected to impact property prices in Daejeon over the next 5 years are Daejeon Metro Line 2 (a tram system connecting key districts), ongoing road and transit improvements linking Yuseong to central Daejeon, and potential urban regeneration projects in older neighborhoods.
The typical price premium for properties near completed transit stations in Korean cities ranges from 5% to 15% above comparable properties further from stations, and Daejeon is expected to follow a similar pattern as Metro Line 2 progresses.
The specific neighborhoods that will benefit most from these infrastructure developments in Daejeon include station-adjacent areas along the Line 2 route, particularly where the line connects residential zones to job centers like Daedeok Innopolis and central Seo-gu.
How will population growth and other factors impact property values in Daejeon in 5 years?
Daejeon's population is projected to remain relatively stable over the next 5 years, with modest growth driven by professional inflows to the tech and research sectors offsetting Korea's broader demographic decline, which should support steady but not explosive property demand.
The demographic shift with the strongest influence on property demand in Daejeon is the rise of single-person and small households, which is increasing demand for smaller apartments and well-located officetels while reducing pressure on large family homes.
Migration patterns are expected to have a moderately positive effect on Daejeon property values over 5 years, as the city continues to attract researchers, engineers, and government employees who value its central location and innovation ecosystem.
The property types and areas that will benefit most from these demographic trends in Daejeon are compact apartments and newer complexes in Yuseong-gu and Seo-gu, where young professionals and small families concentrate.
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 is the 10 year property price outlook in Daejeon?
What is the 10-year property price prediction for Daejeon as of 2026?
As of January 2026, cumulative property price growth in Daejeon over the next 10 years is estimated at approximately 28%, which would bring the typical home from around 520 million won today to roughly 665 million won by 2036.
The range of 10-year forecasts for Daejeon spans from about 15% cumulative growth in a conservative scenario to around 45% in an optimistic scenario, reflecting the significant uncertainty over such a long horizon.
This translates to a projected average annual appreciation rate of about 2.5% per year over the next 10 years in Daejeon, which is slower than the 5-year pace as demographic headwinds and market maturation gradually weigh on growth.
The biggest uncertainty factor in making 10-year property price predictions for Daejeon is how Korea's demographic decline and policy responses will reshape housing demand, particularly whether the city can maintain its population base against competition from Seoul.
What long-term economic factors will shape property prices in Daejeon?
The top three long-term economic factors that will shape property prices in Daejeon over the next decade are Korea's trend economic growth and productivity gains, the evolution of interest rates and financial stability policies, and demographic shifts including aging and household formation patterns.
The single long-term economic factor with the most positive impact on property values in Daejeon is the city's established role as a science and technology hub, which should continue attracting high-income professionals even as other regional cities struggle.
The single long-term economic factor posing the greatest structural risk to property values in Daejeon is Korea's demographic decline, which could eventually reduce the pool of homebuyers and shift demand away from family-sized properties toward smaller units.
You'll also find a much more detailed analysis in our pack about real estate in Daejeon.
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.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Korea Real Estate Board (KREB) | South Korea's official real estate market monitor and price trend survey owner. | We use KREB to anchor official weekly and monthly price trend direction for Daejeon across apartments, detached houses, and villas. We also reference their methodology to explain how trend estimates are built. |
| Korea Public Data Portal | The government's official gateway for verified datasets and APIs. | We use this portal to reference which KREB series exist and how they can be verified. We triangulate our analysis against these official series definitions. |
| MOLIT RTMS | The Ministry of Land's official system tied to legally reported transactions. | We use RTMS to ground price level estimates based on what homes actually sell for. We treat it as a reality check against indexes. |
| KB Real Estate Data Hub | One of Korea's most widely cited housing price publishers with long-running methodology. | We use KB to cross-check market-level pricing and trend signals. We also validate which districts are leading versus lagging. |
| Bank of Korea (Base Rate) | The central bank's official definition and framework for the policy rate. | We use BOK's base rate explainer to explain how interest rate moves transmit into mortgage rates and affordability. |
| Bank of Korea (Monetary Policy 2026) | An official BOK publication describing the policy stance and trade-offs. | We use this to frame our 2026 scenario around BOK's stated balancing act between inflation, growth, and financial stability. |
| OECD Economic Outlook | A top-tier international organization with transparent macro assumptions. | We use OECD for macro fundamentals like growth and inflation direction. We translate these into housing tailwinds versus headwinds for Daejeon. |
| IMF World Economic Outlook | A leading global forecaster publishing consistent cross-country projections. | We use IMF to cross-check Korea's 2026 growth expectation against OECD and BOK messaging, keeping our forecast grounded. |
| BIS Residential Property Statistics | The global hub for central bank statistics and cross-country comparability. | We use BIS to sanity-check that our cycle narrative fits the broader post-2022 rate environment. It's also our guardrail for 5 to 10 year assumptions. |
| FRED (BIS Series) | FRED republishes BIS series in a transparent, easily verifiable format. | We use FRED for long-run context on where Korea sits versus prior cycles. We do not use it for Daejeon-level pricing. |
| Daejeon City | The city government's own published dashboard for population and employment stats. | We use Daejeon City data to anchor local demand drivers like population and employment. We also explain why some districts feel tighter than others. |
| Reuters | A highly reputable wire that clearly attributes to official statements and surveys. | We use Reuters to validate the narrative that rates may ease but housing and financial stability constraints matter. This shapes our 2026 forecast range. |
| Asia Economy | A major national outlet reporting on concrete local infrastructure milestones. | We use Asia Economy's Metro Line 2 coverage to support claims about transit projects moving from plan to reality. We map price sensitivity to neighborhoods along the corridor. |
| Wikipedia (Daejeon Metro Line 2) | A convenient, transparent summary of route and timeline basics. | We use Wikipedia only as a secondary cross-check for dates and route details, not for market claims. |
| Global Property Guide | An established property analytics platform covering international markets. | We use Global Property Guide to cross-reference rental trends and regional price dynamics across South Korea. |
| Trading Economics | A widely cited source for macroeconomic indicators and central bank data. | We use Trading Economics to verify BOK interest rate decisions and GDP forecasts. |
| Business Korea | A reputable Korean business news outlet covering policy developments. | We use Business Korea for context on BOK's 2026 monetary policy direction and rate cut considerations. |
| ING Think | A bank research division providing in-depth economic analysis. | We use ING's Korea outlook to validate our assumptions about interest rate paths and currency dynamics. |
| CNBC | A major financial news network with credible policy coverage. | We use CNBC reporting to understand how property cooling measures and debt controls affect the broader market. |
| Numbeo | A crowdsourced database providing cost-of-living and property comparisons. | We use Numbeo to cross-check affordability ratios and rental yields in Daejeon against user-reported data. |
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If you want to go deeper, you can read the following: