Bangalore in 2025: Configuration Mix & Demographic Trends
1. Market Snapshot: What are buyers preferring in 2025?

Figure 1: % share of configurations in 2025 Bangalore Sales.
• 3BHK units remain the dominant preference, accounting for over 50 to 54% of sales in Bangalore, the top-selling configuration in the city’s residential market.
• 2BHK apartments follow, constituting roughly 32 to 39% of purchases.
• 4BHK and larger homes have seen growing interest, especially among high‑income buyers; demand rose ~15% YoY.
• 1BHK units make up a very small percentage (<10%) and are mainly seen in rental or student/solo‑living segments, not typical for long‑term homeownership in Bangalore .
Additionally, average flat sizes in the city rose sharply, from about 1,480sqft in 2023 to 1,660sqft by end of 2024, an increase of ~12% .
2. Why are 3BHK and 2BHKs rising in demand?
a) Changing Lifestyles & Work‑from‑Home Needs
Post‑COVID, families and professionals expect extra rooms; for remote work, guest stays or storage. A 3BHK easily accommodates a home office and parents’ or children’s rooms, hence it sustained dominance. 2BHKs strike a balance between affordability and functionalityideal for couples or small families.
b) Expanded Living Space
Buyers in 2025 want more square footage, especially as incomes rise. That trend is evident in the increasing unit sizes (~1,600sqft) and their strong take‑up in premium/mid‑premium segments.
c) Price and Investment Logic
Mid‑segment homes (₹50 L to 1Cr) now contribute around 36% of sales, but premium units (₹1 to 2Cr) lead at ~40%, pushing developers to supply more 3/4BHK models. The rental market also reflects this: 2BHKs offer highest flexibility and ROI, while 3BHKs command premium rents, especially in IT corridors.
d) Green & Smart Amenities
Buyers increasingly prioritize smart‑home features and green certification. Premium 3BHK layouts often include smarter integration of solar, automated systems and sustainabilitymaking them more attractive than smaller units.
3. Configuration Mix: Rental vs Owner‑Occupied Demand
a) Rentals

Figure 2. Rental Range in Bangalore
• 2BHK dominates rental market: about ₹22,000 to 35,000 in mid‑range areas, ₹30,000 to 55,000 in premium zones, with carpet sizes typically 900 to 1,300sqft .
• 3BHK rentals cost ₹35,000 to 60,000+ mid‑range and ₹45,000 to 90,000+ in premium areas, with typical size of 1,400 to 2,200sqft .
• 1BHK rentals exist, but mostly student or single‑tenant demand; investors and families prefer bigger units  .

b) Ownership
• 3BHK leads all ownership segments: >50% share in both mid‑premium (₹1 to 2Cr) and luxury (>₹2Cr) segments.
• 2BHK ownership remains attractive in ₹50 L to 1Cr mid‑segment, and for young couples/families or first‑time buyers.
4. Who Chooses What? Demographic Preferences

Figure 3. Configuration & Demographic Bifurcation
a) 3BHK Buyers:
• Nuclear families (2 to 4 members): want separate rooms for kids, guest or elder parents.
• Dual‑income professionals: require home offices, a separate guest/studio room.
• HNIs and NRIs: favor spacious units in prime areas like Indiranagar, Koramangala and Jayanagar where 3 and 4BHK luxury homes flourish .
• Investors seek stable rental income; 3BHK yields better returns in tech corridors.
b) 2BHK Buyers:
• Young couples or small families: starting out, budget-conscious but wanting comfort.
• Working professionals or roommates: share a 2BHK for value and access to amenities.
• First-time homebuyers or those relocating from smaller towns: space allows room to grow.
c) 4BHK and bigger:
• These are chosen by extended families or wealthy buyers wanting servant quarters or entertainment space. This segment grew ~15% in demand YoY
d) 1BHK:
• Mostly favored in student housing areas or co‑living. Not a mainstream purchase configuration for long‑term ownership in Bangalore.
5. Size Standards & Quality Considerations
While unit sizes are growing, some buyers on discussion forums warn quality is not always improving:
• Many luxury builders are reducing room sizes or living spaces while raising prices—creating compact “matchbox‑style” apartments disguised as luxury .
• Standards on carpet area: for a decent 3BHK, 1000 to 1200sq.ft. (carpet) is now considered baseline; ideal is 1200+sqft for comfort, though 1500+sqft carpet is seen as lavish by some .
Buyers are advised to check UDS/carpet vs super built‑up area (SBUA) percentages closely—modern high‑rise projects may have only ~62 to 63% carpet plus balcony, whereas older low‑rise may offer ~67 to 68% carpet .
6. Emerging Context: Location, Infrastructure & Influence
a) Hot Zones Next to Infrastructure
East Bangalore (Whitefield, KR Puram, Sarjapur Road) and North Bangalore (around KIA, Yelahanka, Hebbal) remain top demand drivers thanks to IT corridor expansions and Metro connectivity. These regions see massive launches of mid‑premium 2 and 3BHK homes.
b) Developer Trends & Green Living
Leading builders (Prestige, Sobha, Total Environment, etc.) now incorporate green certifications (LEED, IGBC), solar & rainwater systems, automation as standard features in premium 3BHK and 4BHK units.
c) Rise in Integrated Townships & Co‑living
Townships that bundle apartments with clubs, workspaces, schools and parks often offer a range of configurations, 2BHK for small families/RTO professionals, 3BHK for larger families. Meanwhile co‑living or senior‑living options target specific groups renting compact 1 to 2BHK units.
7. Configuration Mix by Location
Here’s a snapshot of what configurations dominate in various Bangalore zones:
a) Zone / Locality Dominant Configurations Demographic Focus
• Whitefield, Sarjapur, KR Puram 2BHK and 3BHK (mid‑premium to premium) Young IT professionals, small families
• North Bangalore (Airport Corridor) 3BHK, some 4BHK luxury units Expats, HNIs, senior executives
• Indiranagar, Koramangala Luxury 3/4BHK penthouses Wealthy professionals, investors
• Sarjapur–Gunjur, Kadubeesanahalli 2BHK for rentals, 3BHK for families Renters, first‑time buyers
• Townships (e.g. Yelahanka outskirts) Mix of 2 and 3BHK, few 1BHK co‑living Families, retirees, co‑living residents
This aligns with the strong East and North movement, connected by Metro and tech‑zone expansion     .
8. Buyer Advice: Choosing the Right Configuration
a) Define your lifestyle and needs
• Need workspace and guest room? Go for a 3BHK.
• Couple or roommate living, budget‑conscious? 2BHK may suffice.
• Extended family or space for live in staff? opt for 4BHK.
b) Evaluate area vs carpet loss
• Check UDS/carpet ratio relative to super built-up. A 1,400sqft SBU may yield only ~880 to 960sqft carpet in modern towers.
c) Prioritize quality, not just size
• Do not automatically assume bigger is better, look at room dimensions (bedroom ≥120sqft, living room size, balcony, ventilation)
d) Consider location‑based configuration norms
• Near IT corridors or metro lines, 3BHK demand is strongest and resale/rental liquidity is higher. Some suburban townships are still strong on 2BHK for young families
9. Demo Profile Illustrations
a) Small nuclear family (couple + one child)
Growth space needed, occasional work-from-home. Ideal choice: 3BHK (1,400 to 1,600sqft) or well‑designed 2BHK with separate study. Example area: Sarjapur Road or Whitefield.
b) Young couple or sharing professionals
Workspace and living space acceptable. Ideal: 2BHK apartment (900 to 1,200sqft) in proximity to IT parks (e.g., Marathahalli, Kadubeesanahalli).
c) NRIs or high-net-worth buyer
Prefer gated, well-located 3 to 4BHK premium or luxury unit, size 1,600 to 2,200+sqft, with green/smart credentials. Locations: Indiranagar, Koramangala, Jayanagar.
d) Investors focused on rental yield
Small investors often buy 2BHKs for stable rentals, larger investors choose 3BHKs to target families or executive tenants.
10. Outlook: The Configuration Mix in 2025 & Beyond
a) 3BHK will continue to dominate both in sales and new project launches, structured around spacious layouts and modern amenities.
b) 2BHK remains essential for affordability and flexibility, especially in rental pools and as starter homes.
c) Growth in 4BHK inventory and demand, primarily in luxury segments and premium suburbs.
d) 1BHK units limited, used mostly in co-living, student, or very budget rental segments.
e) Shift toward smart‑green living: developers embedding automation and sustainability features, pushing premium configurations.
f) Future demand will track infrastructure rollout (e.g. Metro Phase‑3, peripheral roads), with East, North and West zones seeing evolving configuration mixes.
In Bangalore’s residential real estate landscape of 2025, 3BHK apartments clearly dominate, capturing a majority of both demand and supply. 2BHKs remain the versatile, cost‑effective choice for many young families and professionals. Larger units (4BHK or more) serve a niche affluent audience, while 1BHK is a marginal category, mostly seen in rental or shared living. Buyers are prioritizing space, layout quality, smart‑green features and location above simple square‑footage. As buyers’ expectations evolve toward integrated township living and digital lifestyles, developers increasingly respond with tailored configurations, cementing the current configuration mix while setting the stage for future innovation in Bangalore’s housing market.

*Source: JLL Primary Research

Author: Sumedha Das