How Delhi NCR’s Peripheral Markets Are Powering The Next Housing Cycle

Peripheral Markets Take Centre Stage

In Q4 2025, the recorded residential launches in Delhi NCR were 14,248, which marked a 39 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q) and 2.5 times higher on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis. While the number signals towards a boosted recovery, the actual truth lies in supply.

The majority of these launches were concentrated in the up-and-coming peripheral corridors. Dwarka Expressway accounted for 27 per cent of the annual launches, followed by New Gurgaon with 11 per cent and Yamuna Expressway with 8 per cent. Once these localities were used to micro-markets, and now they have developed into the epicentre of residential expansion in the NCR region.

These infrastructure and commute developments are promoting and reinforcing a change in buyer priorities. Buyers are opting for properties that are located near better roads, faster airport access and with large-scale planned developments. The projects that narrow the gap between core and peripheral locations are becoming the top go-to choice among homebuyers. Areas like the Dwarka Expressway and New Gurgaon offer connectivity to IGI Airport, while Noida, Greater Noida, and the Yamuna Expressway are being propelled due to the upcoming Noida International Airport.

Affordability Meets Aspiration

Another reason behind the growth of the peripheral areas is affordability. Compared to central areas of Gurgaon or Delhi, peripheral regions of the same regions offer housing options at a lower price while promising a good appreciation due to the constant development of these areas. This proposition is what resonates with the new-age homebuyers.

As per the Cushman & Wakefield report, the data shows that Gurugram has accounted for 50 per cent of Q4 2025 launches, with Noida contributing 29 per cent and Ghaziabad accounting for 16 per cent. The peripheral growth has aligned closely with the mid-segment buyer, with developers also focusing on and prioritizing the peripheral market.

Reinforced Price Trends

Interestingly, the average launch prices have declined significantly. The decline was marked by a total of 7 per cent Y-o-Y in 2025, settling to an average of Rs 15,000 per sq ft. This decline is not an indication of market weakness, but rather the changing environment and how the supply is expected by the buyers. A huge segment of the mid-segment project in the periphery markets has pulled down this average, even if the micro-markets continue to rise.

The submarkets across the NCR region saw an appreciation of 4 to 6 per cent. This shows how the real estate sentiment among buyers is expanding from the core of these cities and is also indicating investor confidence.

2026 Outlook and Momentum

These developments give us an insight into what can be expected in 2026. Infrastructure-led growth remains the bedrock of this optimistic growth. With the expressway networks expanding, airport-related developments gaining speed, and policies reinforcing the growth of the peripherals, it is expected to attract continued demand.

Developers are also adapting quickly to this newfound buyer sentiment rather than solely chasing premium pricing and projects. Their inclusion of the mid-segment buyer aligns well with the supply and demand relationship while also establishing a healthier foundation for 2026.

Macro indicators provide additional comfort to the buyers; residential activity has remained resilient, which was supported by the GDP growth of 8.2 per cent and low inflation levels.

The rise of NCR’s peripheral city is no longer an emerging theme; it is the defining narrative of the region’s housing market and how it will shape up in the coming year. As 2026 unfolds, the developmental convergence of infrastructure, affordability, and changing buyer priorities shows that growth in the peripheral areas will continue.

Rather than just the urban cores developing, this shift points to a more connectivity-driven goal of city-building.