16 Apartments to Rent in Upper Austria, Wels

Are you looking to rent an apartment in Wels? The Upper Austrian city offers a wide range of rental apartments for different needs. There’s something for every renter — and at affordable rents, considering you live in the second-largest city of Upper Austria.

• Population and size: Wels has about 65,000 inhabitants and is the second-largest city in Upper Austria. Accordingly, the range of rental apartments is also diverse — from urban apartments to near-edge flats in green surroundings.
• Affordable rents: Compared to other cities, rents in Wels are considered relatively inexpensive. On average, rents are around 12–13 € per m², depending on location and fittings, which makes Wels affordable for renters (significantly cheaper than e.g. Linz).
• Apartment sizes: Most rental apartments offered in Wels are 2- to 3-room apartments with a living area between approx. 50 m² and 80 m². This size range covers the needs of singles, couples and small families. Larger apartments (4 rooms or more) are rarer but are also available for families with greater space needs.
• New build vs. older buildings: A lot is invested in new housing in Wels — new development projects with modern rental apartments (including elevator and underground parking) are regularly built. In addition, there are still charming old apartments (especially in the city center) with high ceilings and sometimes historic flair. The selection allows renters to choose between modern living and old-building charm, depending on taste.

With about 65,000 inhabitants, Wels is the second-largest city in Upper Austria and an important business location. The city is conveniently located in the central area (near Linz) and is known as a trade-fair city with the large Messe Wels as well as a historic town center.

Those who live in Wels benefit from a good infrastructure: There are numerous shops, restaurants, schools and leisure opportunities. Bus and train lines connect the districts and the surrounding area, and the motorway provides quick access to other regions.

Despite its urban amenities, Wels is comparatively still affordable — the rent per square meter is on average somewhat lower than in many other Austrian cities.

For prospective tenants this means: In Wels you can find affordable rental apartments with different living spaces in attractive locations, without having to forego urban offerings.

On the rental market in Wels there is something for everyone, from compact single apartments to spacious family apartments. Particularly common are 2-room apartments and 3-room apartments — these are ideal for singles, couples or small families.

A 2-room unit typically consists of a living room and a bedroom (plus ancillary rooms), while a 3-room apartment usually has a living room and two bedrooms (or an office/children’s room).

For students or single people there are also 1-room apartments (studio apartments / garçonnières), which combine a living kitchen and sleeping area in one room. Those looking for something unusual can occasionally find loft apartments — large open-plan flats with a loft-like layout and lots of living space, often in converted buildings or attics.

Layout and fittings play a major role in rental apartments in Wels. Modern apartments score with a well-thought-out layout: from the entrance hall you reach the individual rooms such as living room, bedroom and bathroom.

The quality of living in Wels also depends on the location of the apartment. The city is divided into several districts, each with its own charm:

• City center (Inner City): Here you live in the midst of the action, in immediate proximity to the center, town square and shopping streets. The city center offers beautiful old apartments with high ceilings and new city apartments. Living centrally means having shops, restaurants and culture on your doorstep. However, parking options here are limited, and rents can be somewhat higher than in outer districts.
• Neustadt and Vogelweide: These neighborhoods border the center and are very popular with renters. They combine urban infrastructure with somewhat quieter living. In Neustadt you will find many apartments in multi-family houses from the 1950s–70s as well as modern new buildings. Vogelweide is a typical residential area with larger housing complexes and green spaces in between — ideal for families, as schools and playgrounds are nearby.
• Lichtenegg and Pernau: Located a little outside the center, these districts offer a rather quiet residential location. Lichtenegg in the west of Wels is an established residential area with detached houses and also some new housing complexes. Pernau in the east (towards Traun) is characterized by newer settlements and good recreational opportunities (near the Traunauen). Here you often find rental apartments with a balcony or even a shared garden on the ground floor, usually at moderate prices.
• Other residential areas: Modern living space is emerging on the southern city outskirts in areas such as Laahen or the garden city. These units are often ready for first occupancy and feature contemporary fittings, terraces or private gardens. For commuters, the neighboring communities (such as Thalheim bei Wels on the other side of the Traun) might also be interesting — you live in the countryside and are still quickly in Wels.

In general: Proximity to the center means short distances and urban life, while the outer districts attract with more peace, nature and often larger living spaces. Depending on personal preference — whether you prefer to be in the middle of city life or appreciate a green environment — you will find the right place to live in Wels.

Many rental apartments in Wels offer special features that increase living comfort. One important aspect is the proximity to the center: Apartments near the center are in demand because shops, workplaces and leisure facilities are quickly reachable.

At the same time, many renters pay attention to a quiet location — an apartment on the outskirts or in a side street can offer more relaxation than directly on a main street in the center.

Parking is a decisive criterion for car drivers. In Wels some residential buildings have their own parking spaces or an underground garage, which makes parking the vehicle safe and convenient.

Especially in the city center, where street parking is often only possible with a resident permit or for a fee, a fixed parking space is worth its weight in gold. In newer developments you often find carports or parking decks, while older houses are more dependent on public parking areas.

Another plus is the elevator in the building. In many multi-storey residential buildings, especially from three floors upwards, a lift is now part of the standard equipment.

This is not only relevant for older or mobility-impaired people (barrier-free living), but also a comfort for everyone — nobody likes to carry heavy groceries or furniture to the 4th floor on foot. In old buildings in the city center, however, it can happen that there is no lift, as these houses have only a few floors or structural retrofitting was not possible.

Balcony, terrace or garden are among the most appreciated living features. Especially in spring and summer a balcony or terrace extends the living space outdoors. Many rental apartments in Wels offer at least a small balcony — for breakfast outdoors, for drying laundry or to keep a few potted plants.

In the outer districts and in ground-floor apartments there is sometimes even a small garden or a green area for shared use, which is attractive for families with children or pets. If you rent an attic apartment, you might be lucky enough to have a generous roof terrace with views over the city.

In summary, rental apartments in Wels have various advantages depending on location and building type. Whether central location, sufficient parking, an elevator in the building or a private outdoor area — consider in advance which features are personally important to you. This way you can filter your apartment search specifically by these criteria.