Tehran’s long-standing air pollution crisis is now visibly influencing the housing market. Due to severe affordability pressures, many buyers and renters are being pushed into the most polluted districts — including Shahr-e Rey, Tehran Cement area, Districts 15, 17, 18, 19, and 21 — despite knowing the health risks.
These southern areas recorded the highest number of “Red” and “Purple” air-quality days in 2024, yet they offer the cheapest 40–50 m² apartments, typically priced between 1.7 to 2.8 billion tomans.
Economic pressure has effectively overridden environmental concerns, making price — not air quality — the primary factor shaping residential choices in Tehran today.
