TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —Taipei saw a net loss of over 20,000 residents in the first quarter of this year, experiencing the highest housing costs in the country.
Lai Chih-chang (賴志昶), public relations director at Dajia Real Estate (大家房屋), Taipei’s massive net outflow is largely due to unaffordable housing, per UDN. With improved transit links to New Taipei and Taoyuan, Lai said citizens are choosing to “escape Taipei” for more affordable surrounding cities.
Based on Ministry of Interior data, the average housing price in Taipei during the first quarter reached NT$1.233 million (US$37,900) per ping (3.3 square meters), the highest among the northern counties and cities. The city also saw a net outflow of 20,949 people, the largest in northern Taiwan.
Hsinchu, with an average housing price of NT$594,000 per ping, is second only to the Taipei metropolitan area. In the first quarter, the city saw a net outflow of 620 people, making it one of only two cities in northern Taiwan with negative net migration.
In Hsinchu, Lai said development has limited space for further growth, and prices for new housing projects have risen. Science Park workers are relocating to Hsinchu and other neighboring areas, opting for long commutes for better living conditions.
According to MOI data on population migration, Taoyuan, where the average presale housing price was only around NT$372,000 (US$11,400) per ping, saw a net inflow of 8,065 people. Taoyuan ranked first in population gain among the eight counties and cities.
Lee Chun-ting (李浚霆), owner of the Global Mall branch of H&B Housing (住商不動產), said that Taoyuan has attracted people thanks to its public transportation and more affordable housing prices. In Qingpu Special District, served by MRT and high-speed rail, more than 30% of property transactions are made by buyers outside the city.
Jessica Hsu (徐佳馨), research director at H&B Housing, said that northern Taiwan’s residential landscape is transforming. Taipei, with its steep housing prices, faces population outflow, while more affordable and growth-ready cities like New Taipei and Taoyuan are becoming hubs for incoming residents.
Although Hsinchu offers high-paying jobs, it experiences population outflow, noted Hsu. This trend reflects that even cities with economic advantages may face population loss if they fail to improve living conditions and spatial planning.
