Münster as an investment location for real estate
322,715 inhabitants, strong university landscape and young demand base
Münster officially had 322,715 residents as at 31.12.2024 and is continuing its moderate growth path, which ensures a broad, urban tenant base with a high level of education and employment orientation. The city is a pronounced university and science region with a total of 10 universities and around 60,877 students (academic year 2023/24), which structurally strengthens the rentability of floor plans suitable for shared flats, micro-apartments and furnished concepts in locations close to the campus and city center. The demographic structure is comparatively young (average age 41.7 years at the end of 2024) and supports a diversified demand for living space from students and young professionals to families in well-developed neighborhoods.
Accessibility and public transport: Münsterland S-Bahn, mobility expansion and network stability
With the Münsterland S-Bahn, the regional rail network will be gradually expanded into a high-performance service by 2040; depending on the corridor, up to 4 trains per hour, hub stations, additional stops and a marketed S-Bahn main line are planned - a clear location and exit lever for micro-locations in Münster close to railroad stations and axes. At the same time, Stadtwerke is modernizing the stop infrastructure in the bus network (replacement of a large part of the bus shelters by mid-2025, completion by mid-2026), which will increase the quality and reliability of urban public transport. The city is supporting the change in mobility with strategic planning instruments, including the creation of the 4th local transport plan, in order to ensure a future-proof public transport network with priority for disruption-free routes and attractive junctions.
Urban development, ISEK 2030 and investment theses with an ESG focus
The Integrated Urban Development Concept (ISEK) Münster 2030 has been politically approved and serves as a cross-departmental orientation framework with ten key topics, funding access and concrete implementation steps - a reliable planning anchor for repositioning, redensification and energy modernization in prioritized areas. The city's small-scale population forecast predicts an increase to around 333,401 inhabitants by 2033, which underpins the demand outlook for central micro-locations and those close to public transport. There are three investment options: Core in refurbished stock close to the city center and axes with a student and professional demand pulse; value-add via ESG upgrades (insulation, windows, efficient heat, PV) and activation of first floors along future S-Bahn/bus corridors; and selective neighborhood plays in growing sub-areas, supported by the young population structure and the ISEK-led bundle of measures.
Standard land values for Münster
The standard land values for Münster can be found in the standard land values for North Rhine-Westphalia here.