The price of rooms for rent in shared houses rose 8% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to an analysis released this Monday, April 13, by the real estate marketplace idealista. However, compared to the previous quarter, there was a slight decrease of 1%. Twelve of the 19 municipalities analysed recorded significant annual increases, with Bragança leading (+13%), followed by Funchal and Guarda (+11% each), Lisbon (+10%) and Castelo Branco (+9%). Porto (+7%), Santarém (+8%) and inland cities such as Vila Real (+6%) and Viseu (+4%) also showed increases. In Aveiro (-9%) and Évora (-3%) prices fell, while Faro, Leiria, Portalegre and Viana do Castelo remained stable. Lisbon continues to have the most expensive rooms, with a median of around 550 euros per month, followed by Funchal (500 euros) and Porto (450 euros). The most affordable areas are Guarda (210 euros) and Bragança (225 euros). Several inland and coastal cities have average values between 250 and 360 euros. In the first three months of the year, prices showed greater stability, as eight municipalities kept values practically unchanged. Setúbal recorded the largest quarterly appreciation (+10%), and significant increases were also recorded in Funchal and Portalegre (+5% each). In contrast, Vila Real (-5%) and Leiria (-4%) recorded the largest quarterly drops. The study points out that renting rooms is no longer an exclusive solution for students and is increasingly sought after by young people at the start of their careers and by people struggling to afford the cost of housing alone. This pattern contributes to sustained demand in urban centres and locations with limited supply of affordable housing. Rents remain high despite a 'very significant' increase in supply.