Milan continues to grow, and unfortunately so do house prices. According to the latest report published in early 2026, the real estate market under the Madonnina has reached a new all-time high: €5,615 per square meter. The city average has risen by 4.4% in just one year, making the purchase of an apartment an increasingly unattainable goal for many and confirming Milan as the most expensive city in Italy.
The real news, however, does not concern Cordusio or Brera, areas that are now permanently at prohibitive levels. What is surprising are the neighborhoods once considered peripheral or linked to university life, where prices are rising so fast that they are increasingly closing the gap with the historic center.
The unexpected boom in Città Studi and Lambrate
Città Studi and Lambrate were once the ideal destination for students and young couples looking for more affordable prices, but the figures for 2026 tell a different story ( +7.3% / €4,949 per square meter). The redevelopment of Scalo Lambrate and the constant demand linked to the Polytechnic University have pushed prices up, driving the entire eastern area of Milan. Today, buying a home here means dealing with prices that are increasingly close to those of the historically more exclusive neighborhoods.
Surprise in the suburbs: the leap forward of Vialba, Gallaratese, and Forlanini
Another surprising area is Vialba, Gallaretese located within Municipality 8 and also Forlanini Municipality 4. Considered peripheral and historically residential areas, they are now undergoing rapid acceleration:
- Vialba/Gallaratese (+6.6% / €3,107 per square meter)
- Forlanini (+6.1% / €4,857 per square meter)
The luxury paradox: Navigli and Bocconi slow down
While the suburbs continue to accelerate unabated, a surprising signal is coming from areas that have always been symbols of nightlife and the most sought-after university investments. Neighborhoods such as Navigli and Bocconi, after years of continuous price increases, are showing a slight reversal: values have recorded a small but significant decline of 0.7%. Prices remain considerable despite the slowdown ( €6,922 per square meter) .
These figures send a clear message that is difficult to ignore: there are no longer any ‘refuge’ neighborhoodsin Milan. If even areas such as Vialba or Gallaratese are rising by more than 6% per year, there is a danger that the entire city will become a space reserved almost exclusively for the highest incomes, pushing out those who lived there and brought it to life until yesterday. In 2026, the dream of affordable housing seems increasingly distant, almost vanished.