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Bengaluru real estate: Can you still buy a 1 crore apartment in the tech capital amid soaring prices?

Finding a home under ₹1 crore in Bengaluru is getting harder, with experts noting such options are now mostly pushed to the city’s outer suburban areas

Updated on: Jan 18, 2026, 11:36:21 IST
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Bengaluru’s housing market has witnessed price growth, making the once‑aspirational 1 crore budget out of reach for many buyers. With average property rates now ranging around 15,000 to 18,000 per sq ft in prime IT corridors, even modest 2 BHK apartments in areas like Whitefield, Sarjapura, and Yelahanka often exceed 1 crore in value, experts said

Bengaluru’s housing market has surged, pushing the once-aspirational  ₹1 crore budget out of reach. With prices at  ₹15,000– ₹18,000 per sq ft in major IT hubs, even modest 2 BHKs in Whitefield, Sarjapur and Yelahanka now typically exceed  ₹1 crore, experts said. (Representational photo) (Pixabay)
Bengaluru’s housing market has surged, pushing the once-aspirational ₹1 crore budget out of reach. With prices at ₹15,000– ₹18,000 per sq ft in major IT hubs, even modest 2 BHKs in Whitefield, Sarjapur and Yelahanka now typically exceed ₹1 crore, experts said. (Representational photo) (Pixabay)

This shift has sparked debate over affordability in India’s tech hub, especially among first‑time and solo homebuyers.

Real estate experts and market data indicate that homes within a 1 crore price bracket are increasingly concentrated on the city’s periphery rather than in established tech corridors. New launches priced around 1 crore are typically located 15–20 kilometres from major economic hubs, in areas such as Kengeri, Jigani, Doddaballapur Road, and outlying parts of Sarjapur and Varthur.

A report by NoBroker pointed out that over 42 per cent of units in the sub‑ 1 crore segment are effectively priced out of the primary market, even as demand for affordable housing rises year‑on‑year. Resale inventory provides some relief, but options remain limited in central and well‑connected neighbourhoods.

Real estate brokers say that homebuyers with a 1 crore budget will increasingly need to look toward Bengaluru’s emerging growth corridors rather than established residential hubs.

Kanakapura Road in the south, Devanahalli and Doddaballapur Road in the north, and the stretch beyond Varthur towards the east are currently the most feasible options in this price bracket.

These markets continue to see launches from top-tier developers, offering modern amenities and relatively larger configurations at accessible price points. For example, Brigade Orchards in Devanahalli has introduced 2BHK units within the 1 crore range, making it one of the few branded township developments still catering to this budget.

However, experts cautioned that these opportunities are largely limited to peripheral zones. In prime city locations, such as Indiranagar, Koramangala, JP Nagar, or central business districts, new-build apartments typically start at 2 crore and above, even for compact 2BHK units. Within city limits, buyers can find options under 1 crore, but only in the resale segment. These units often come with compromises related to age, layout, and amenities.

“Inside the city, one can get resale units for around 1 crore, but buyers must be prepared to compromise on the age of the building and, in many cases, the quality of construction,” said Kiran Kumar of Hanu Reddy Realty.

“A 30-year-old apartment in Indiranagar, for instance, might fall within this price bracket, but it may not include essential features such as dedicated car parking and will lack the common amenities, clubhouse, gym, and security systems that modern apartment complexes offer.”

Also Read: Bengaluru residents debate top-floor living: Hot days, long lift waits, but stunning views without mosquitoes

Sub- 1 crore homes still available, but with trade‑offs

Despite the squeeze, brokers say that budget‑friendly apartments below 1 crore do exist, particularly in peripheral and developing sectors. They point out that not all homes priced under 1 crore are developed by top-tier builders. Many are launched by local or mid-sized developers, which can influence the property's overall quality, design, and long-term value.

Smaller units or older buildings in areas away from the core city can come in under the 1 crore threshold; however, these options often involve compromises on proximity to key tech hubs, infrastructure maturity and long‑term price appreciation potential.

Brokers cautioned that buyers targeting this price band must balance affordability with considerations such as commute times and community services.

“Daily commute times can be significantly higher, and supporting civic infrastructure, such as wider approach roads, reliable water supply, public transport connectivity, and social infrastructure like schools and hospitals, is still evolving in many of these pockets,” Kumar said.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Souptik Datta

Souptik Datta is a deputy chief content producer at Hindustan Times Digital, where he reports on southern India with a focus on real estate, urban infrastructure and environmental urban issues. His coverage tracks the intersection of policy, capital flows, regulation and sustainability, examining how these forces shape housing markets, commercial real estate and large-scale infrastructure development across rapidly transforming cities. He also closely tracks civic issues affecting urban residents, including property taxation, planning approvals, public transport expansion, water stress, waste management and the governance challenges that influence everyday life in India’s metros. Souptik’s reporting is driven by a strong interest in accountability, consumer rights and the lived realities of homebuyers and investors navigating volatile pricing cycles, regulatory changes and project delivery risks. He frequently analyses project launches, land monetisation strategies, planning frameworks, RERA-related developments and the broader implications of infrastructure investments on emerging growth corridors. His work blends on-ground reporting with data-backed analysis and long-form explainers aimed at demystifying complex real estate and infrastructure developments for readers. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, Souptik was associated with Moneycontrol at Network 18, where he covered real estate, infrastructure and allied sectors, producing market insights, policy-led stories and in-depth features. Outside the newsroom, Souptik is an avid solo traveller and documentary enthusiast, exploring diverse regions and visually documenting unique narratives through film and photography. In his early career, Souptik also freelanced as a documentary photographer, independently working on visual storytelling projects that captured grassroots narratives, urban change and everyday life. He can be reached at souptik.datta@htdigital.in.

Stay updated with the latest Real Estate News, property prices, housing trends and major projects. Explore market updates, investment insights and property developments across India.
Stay updated with the latest Real Estate News, property prices, housing trends and major projects. Explore market updates, investment insights and property developments across India.
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