Infrastructure, affordability drive homebuyer demand beyond big metros: Magicbricks PropIndex
While overall residential demand dipped 1.2% in Q2 2026, infrastructure-led markets such as Kolkata, Noida, Greater Noida and Pune recorded stronger buyer interest.
2 BHK homes accounted for 42% of demand, followed by 3 BHK homes at 37%, together making up close to 79% of buyer interest. (AI Image)
India’s residential market is entering a new phase where infrastructure, affordability and connectivity—not simply metro status—are determining where residential demand is growing. According to Magicbricks PropIndex Report, between April and June 2026, the residential demand dropped 1.2% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). Kolkata, Noida, Greater Noida and Pune registered comparatively stronger homebuyer demand highlighting an increasingly polarised and discerning housing market.
Out of 13 cities covered in the report, Kolkata witnessed the highest rise in demand at 7.5% QoQ followed by Noida (5.5%), Greater Noida (4.1%) and Pune (2.1%). On the contrary, demand eased in many mature metropolitan cities including Hyderabad (-6%), Chennai (-5.8%), New Delhi (-2.9%) and Bengaluru (-1.8%), while Mumbai (+0.6%) remained stable. This suggests that buyers are prioritising locations that deliver a better mix of affordability, connectivity, housing choices and long-term value.
Home sales supply too witnessed a similar polarisation trend. Overall residential supply in the country grew by 1.2% QoQ with major contributions from Bengaluru (+3.7%), Gurugram (+3.1%), Hyderabad (+2.9%) and Kolkata (+1.7%). In comparison, Noida (-0.6%) and Pune (-0.9%) saw relatively lesser supply coming into the markets even as they witnessed some of the highest demand in the country, pointing towards positive inventory absorption.
Residential prices continued to hold firm pan India with nationwide residential prices posting a 1% QoQ increase. Noida emerged as the top performing major residential market in India with prices increasing 1.9% QoQ as infrastructure spends continue to benefit residential demand and capital appreciation. Kolkata witnessed another strong month of growth with prices posting 1% QoQ growth. Prices continued to remain steady in Noida and Pune as both markets saw an increase in buyer demand. Meanwhile, Hyderabad (+2.4%), Bengaluru (+1.9%) and Gurugram (+1.8%) continued to witness price appreciation even as demand softened, reflecting sustained long-term developer confidence in these markets.
Prasun Kumar, CMO, Magicbricks, said, “India’s residential market is becoming increasingly selective rather than cyclical. Homebuyers today are choosing infrastructure ecosystems as much as cities. Markets with stronger connectivity, employment opportunities and affordable housing are attracting greater buyer interest, even as overall market activity moderates. Greater Noida exemplifies this shift. With the upcoming Noida International Airport and expanding expressway network, the region is evolving into a self-sustaining economic corridor rather than just an extension of Delhi NCR. As this trend strengthens, residential growth will become increasingly concentrated in markets where infrastructure translates into everyday livability and long-term economic opportunity.”
Further, the report also highlighted, 2 BHK homes accounted for 42% of demand, followed by 3 BHK homes at 37%, together making up close to 79% of buyer interest. On the supply side, developers continued to prioritise larger homes, with 3 BHK units accounting for 46% of available inventory.
