Taipei's House Price to Income Ratio Sky High at 15.01|第2季房價所得比 北市15.01倍.新北12.27倍

Despite policies aimed at improving Taiwan's real estate market, most people still can't afford to buy a home. According to the Ministry of the Interior's house price to income ratio statistics for the second quarter of the year, Taipei City had a ratio of 15.01 times and New Taipei City had a ratio of 12.27 times. Although these are slightly lower than last year, the ratio is still overly low. What the ratio means is that the average person would have to not eat or drink for 12 to 15 years before they can afford a home in Taipei or New Taipei.


According to the Ministry of the Interior, Taipei and New Taipei's house price to income ratio in the second quarter were, respectively, 15.01 times and 12.27 times. This means the average person has to go without food and drink for 12 to 15 years to afford a home in New Taipei and Taipei. Although the ratios have fallen slightly from the same period one year ago, housing prices in the two cities remain excessively expensive.

Wages are too low and even rent costs so much. That's not even taking food and household expenses into consideration. It's very difficult (to save any money).

The ratio was somewhat lower in the other special municipalities. Taoyuan's ratio was 8.12, Taichung's 9.30, Tainan's 7.20 and Kaohsiung's 7.94. Taoyuan, Taichung and Kaohsiung's housing prices are considered to be moderately expensive and only Tainan's is considered reasonable.

Taipei's house price to index ratio is around 15 or 14-point-something times. New Taipei's is around 12 times. These levels are par for the course for the last few years. Unless the government reforms the tax system to provide tax incentives, the ratios will stay where they are.

Civic groups say high prices are the main culprit behind Taiwan's residential problems and the Tsai administration has no hope of controlling the real estate market unless it tackles housing tax, financial, and information transparency policies.