Downtown Rio de Janeiro has become the main region for real estate appreciation in the city. According to the QuintoAndar Sale and Purchase Report, the median price of properties in the region soared by 30.7% in the last 12 months, ending the first half of 2025 with the square meter priced at R$ 6,040. This was the highest increase recorded among all zones of the Rio capital.

The area’s recovery can be seen as a direct reflection of revitalization efforts, such as the “Reviver Centro” program. This initiative has attracted a new wave of residential developments and modernized the local infrastructure, turning previously neglected areas into points of interest for new residents and investors. The arrival of new services, shops, and leisure options has renewed the region’s appeal.

Despite the surge in prices, the city center still stands as one of the areas with the most competitive cost per square meter in the city. The value of R$ 6,040 is well below, for example, that of regions like the South Zone (R$ 10,208/m²). Because it has smaller properties, the region has attracted many investors looking to buy properties for seasonal rental.

“Downtown Rio is being rediscovered. With the incentives from ‘Reviver Centro’ and new developments, the region has become an attractive location for many buyers, whether for housing or investment,” analyzes Pedro Capetti, a data specialist at Grupo QuintoAndar.

Unlike São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, in Rio, property prices varied above inflation in the first half of 2025. The increase was 5.7% in the price of closed contracts compared to the end of 2024. Inflation, according to the IPCA (Broad National Consumer Price Index) from the IBGE, was 2.99% from January to June.

According to the report, Tijuca remains the most sought-after neighborhood for purchases, followed by Barra da Tijuca and Copacabana, highlighting the diversity and strength of different areas of the city.