BY: Kolakaluri Lavanya Chopra
HYDERABAD: The increasing rents are significantly altering living conditions in Hyderabad. As prices rise in neighborhoods like Madhapur, Gachibowli, Kondapur, and HiTec City along the IT corridor, many residents are resorting to shared flats, crowded PG accommodations, and longer commutes.
For many professionals, finding housing has shifted from being a matter of comfort to a balancing act between costs and time management.
Shakina Fatima, an employee in Jubilee Hills, remarked, “Due to traffic, it used to take me nearly an hour to commute from Kondapur. I’ve since moved to Banjara Hills, where I pay ₹26,500 for a 1BHK, significantly reducing my travel time.”
A 1BHK that was available for Rs 10,000-12,000 last year now ranges from Rs 15,000-20,000, while 2BHK apartments are leasing for Rs 30,000-35,000. Premium homes in gated communities within the IT corridor command monthly rents of Rs 50,000-70,000. For instance, in Madhapur, the average rent for a 2BHK rose from Rs 20,000-32,000 in 2025 to Rs 22,000-38,000 in 2026.
In Hi-Tec City, prices increased from Rs 22,000-35,000 to Rs 28,000-42,000 during the same timeframe, while Gachibowli saw rents jump from Rs 18,000-30,000 to Rs 22,000-35,000, and in Kondapur, they escalated from Rs 15,000-25,000 to Rs 18,000-40,000.
Even 1BHK rents now range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 in these areas. Pratham Sharma, an IT professional, shared his struggles: “When I first arrived in Hyderabad and searched for accommodations in the IT corridor, the prices seemed exorbitant. I found Rs 8,000 for a four-sharing PG room pricey, and Rs 10,000 for a single room was beyond reach. Eventually, I settled for a 2BHK in Bachupally with three roommates, splitting the total rent of Rs 20,000.”
“Rent increases of 10% to 20% are now common, and the rate of growth is accelerating,” noted a local broker. This issue extends beyond apartments and houses.
Anu S, a software professional, reported her experience: “I lived in a women’s PG in Kondapur for two years. The rent started at Rs 8,000 for a four-sharing non-AC room and climbed to Rs 9,500 in less than a year. It feels like PG rents are outpacing salary increases. I eventually relocated to Kukatpally for more affordable housing.”
The rise in rental costs has been bolstered by the rapid expansion of Global Capability Centres in the IT corridor and a surge in professionals moving to the area due to return-to-office mandates. Perikala Ratnakanth, who works in Madhapur, stated that overcrowded metro travel adds to his work fatigue.
“I tried to find a room closer to my office in Madhapur, but the rent was shocking. Most landlords were asking for Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000. I opted for a hostel in SR Nagar at Rs 5,500 a month, but this choice means I spend almost an hour commuting daily,” he shared.
While many senior employees in the tech and banking sectors receive housing allowances, newcomers and mid-level staff increasingly struggle to keep pace with Hyderabad’s changing rental landscape.
For young professionals entering the job market with monthly salaries of Rs 20,000, affording Rs 15,000 for a modest apartment near major hubs is often unfeasible without sharing accommodations.
