San Sebastián de los Reyes occupies the 16th position nationally in rental demand pressure, surpassing Madrid (28th place). The average price hovers around 18 euros/m², and flats are snapped up as soon as they are listed.
The dream of renting a flat in San Sebastián de los Reyes has turned into an odyssey. According to the latest report from Idealista for the second quarter of 2026, the municipality in the north of Madrid registers such high demand pressure that it leaves the capital behind, ranking 16th nationally, while Madrid falls to 28th. The neighbouring Alcobendas, in 11th place, also surpasses the big city, but the most striking figure is that Sanse has more applicants per listing than any district in Madrid.
The rental price in Sanse: €1,260 per month for 70 square metres
The average price in San Sebastián de los Reyes has reached €18 per square metre, translating to about €1,260 per month for a 70-square-metre flat. A figure that, although lower than the €23.7/m² in Madrid, is still a strain on family budgets. Demand is relentless: as soon as a flat hits the market, it is rented in a matter of hours. Real estate agents consulted on Marqués de la Valdavia street and Avenida de España agree: "It’s no longer enough to have your payslip ready; you have to call the same day the listing goes live."
In Sanse, it’s no longer the one who can pay that wins, but the one who calls first. And sometimes, not even that.
The keys to the pull: connections, quality of life, and stagnant supply
Why does everyone want to live here? The answer lies in the combination of good transport links, services, and a quieter pace of life than in the centre. The Cercanías C-4 train connects to Sol in 25 minutes, the A-1 —with its inevitable traffic jams— brings you closer to the capital, and bus 151 is a daily lifesaver. Added to this is a commercial offering that ranges from Megapark to local supermarkets in Dehesa Vieja or Tempranales, schools like Vicente Aleixandre or Leopoldo Cano, and the feeling that you can still park here without selling a kidney. The problem is that this same quality of life has driven demand to levels not seen since 2018.
The Idealista report indicates that, unlike other stressed areas like Terrassa or Sabadell, in northern Madrid, the pull is primarily due to connections and quality of life. But there is a less visible factor: the supply of rental housing is not growing at the same pace as the interested parties. Many owners have opted for seasonal rentals or sales, further reducing options for families looking to settle down. According to data from the Sanse City Council, the rental housing stock barely reaches 15% of the total, a minimal margin to absorb new tenants.
The double flow of demand: young people and families fleeing the capital
The case of Sanse is particular because demand is not only coming from young people moving out, but also from families fleeing the prices in Madrid and workers from the industrial estate itself. This double flow further tightens the market. Compared to 2018, when the rental bubble began to emerge in Alcobendas and Sanse, the current situation is even more tense. Back then, the Community of Madrid announced measures that were never fully implemented. Now, the supply of official rental protection remains minimal, and the next municipal plenary could address some measures, but for now, the ball is in the court of the owners and the administration.
For the neighbour looking for a flat, the recommendation is clear: if you see a listing that fits your budget, be ready to visit it within 24 hours and have your documentation ready. And if you have a flat for rent, check the price: you might be below market rate without realising it.
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