As property prices continue their upward trajectory in major Indian cities, the dream of owning a spacious 3BHK home is slipping further out of reach for many middle-class buyers. Despite strong demand for larger homes, affordability concerns are driving a noticeable shift toward more budget-friendly 2BHK configurations.
A new Tamil film titled 3BHK, set to release next month, brings this struggle to the screen through the story of Prabhu, a schoolboy striving to help his family achieve the dream of owning a 3BHK home. His story mirrors a larger trend — one where financial aspirations collide with harsh urban realities.
3BHKs: Still the Dream, But Fading in Reality
The desire for larger homes remains strong. According to ANAROCK’s H2 2024 consumer sentiment survey, 48% of respondents across the top seven cities preferred 3BHK apartments, even as affordability remains a pressing concern. This figure, however, marks a slight dip from 51% in H1 2024 — suggesting that the rising cost of housing is slowly reshaping buyer expectations.
“Many homebuyers who earlier preferred a 3BHK are now considering a 2BHK as it is within their budget range,” said Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK Group.
“This dip can be essentially attributed to the growing unaffordability of homes across cities amid escalating residential prices.”
Affordability Drives Surge in 2BHK Demand
Even as 3BHKs dominate the aspiration charts, 39% of survey respondents now favour 2BHK units, a number that’s steadily growing in metro cities like Mumbai.
- In Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), where residential property prices have soared to ₹17,100 per sq. ft. (Q2 2025), the majority of buyers now prefer 2BHKs (40%) over 3BHKs (36%).
- This trend is reinforced by similar patterns in Kolkata (46%) and Pune (41%), showing that cost-consciousness is driving the market.
City-Wise Preferences: 3BHK vs 2BHK
Here’s how homebuyers across India’s top cities are responding to current market dynamics:
| City | 3BHK Preference | 2BHK Preference | 1BHK Preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | 55% | 38% | <10% |
| Chennai | 53% | 37% | <10% |
| Delhi-NCR | 53% | 36% | <10% |
| Bengaluru | 48% | 34% | <10% |
| Pune | 47% | 41% | <10% |
| Kolkata | 46% | 46% | <10% |
| Mumbai (MMR) | 36% | 40% | 20% |
Notably, Mumbai leads in demand for 1BHKs at 20%, underscoring just how intense the affordability crunch is in the financial capital.
Why 3BHKs Still Matter
Despite rising costs, the preference for 3BHKs has risen from 41% in H1 2022 to 51% in H1 2024. This can be attributed to:
- Post-pandemic lifestyle shifts
- Hybrid work culture demanding home office space
- Need for personal and family privacy
- Desire for investment value and future-proof living
However, experts warn that these preferences are slowly being overridden by hard budget constraints.
FAQs: 3BHK vs 2BHK Trends in Indian Real Estate
Q1. Why are buyers shifting from 3BHK to 2BHK homes?
A1. Rising property prices across major Indian cities are making 3BHKs unaffordable for many middle-class buyers, prompting them to opt for more budget-friendly 2BHKs.
Q2. Which city has the highest demand for 3BHK homes?
A2. Hyderabad leads the demand, with 55% of prospective homebuyers preferring 3BHKs, followed by Chennai and Delhi-NCR at 53% each.
Q3. Why is Mumbai an exception to the 3BHK demand trend?
A3. Mumbai has the highest residential prices among the top 7 cities, making 3BHKs less affordable and increasing the demand for 2BHKs and even 1BHKs.
Q4. What is the average price per sq. ft. in Mumbai (MMR)?
A4. As of Q2 2025, the average residential price in Mumbai is ₹17,100 per sq. ft., the highest among major cities.
Q5. How have 3BHK preferences changed since 2022?
A5. Preference for 3BHKs grew from 41% in H1 2022 to 51% in H1 2024, but dipped slightly to 48% in H2 2024 due to affordability issues.