Summary of this article
As Navratri 2025 kicks off the peak festive buying season, Delhi-NCR’s real estate market is bracing for another surge. Gurugram is banking on luxury demand, corporate-driven housing, and premium micro-markets, while Noida is riding on infrastructure-led growth and more affordable entry points. Developers and analysts say buyers should weigh connectivity, rental yields, and long-term appreciation before choosing between the two.
Not long before, the internet was flooded with a heated meme debate about which of two densely populated areas of Delhi-NCR, Noida and Gurugram, was the best. During the monsoon season, Gurugram experienced massive urban floods, and the internet exploded with opinions about the city's public infrastructure.
However, apart from social media talks, both places have their own perks and attract aspiring homebuyers looking to find a home closer to the national capital.
Every festive season brings a new wave of optimism for homebuyers, who view the occasion of Navratri and Diwali as the right time to embark on new beginnings and long-term investments. In the Delhi-NCR belt, the spotlight often remains centred on these two real estate heavyweights, Noida and Gurugram.
Currently, both markets are looking at new launches topped by growing buyer confidence amid a surge of festive spirit. But the stories of both these places couldn't be more different.
In Gurugram, developers are confident that premium housing will dominate the season. Aman Sarin, Director and CEO of Anant Raj Limited, says the festive period has always been a defining moment. "Year after year, we have observed that homebuyer sentiment peaks during this period, with sales typically rising by 10 to 20 per cent compared to regular months. This year too, we expect the trend to continue," he notes, pointing to their newly launched independent floors at Anant Raj Estate in Sector-63A.
Sarin highlights Golf Course Extension Road as a micro-market to watch, especially for first-time homebuyers drawn by connectivity and a growing social ecosystem.
The sentiment is echoed by larger players as well. Aakash Ohri, Joint Managing Director and Chief Business Officer at DLF Homes, says the festive season has become "the annual high point for residential real estate," with luxury launches finding strong interest among HNIs, UHNIs, and NRIs. According to him, housing continues to outpace other assets in returns, and consumer confidence has only strengthened in recent years.
That confidence is translating into an appetite for higher-value homes. As Vikas Dua, Founder and Director of Chintamanis, explains: "In Gurugram, the festive season typically tilts in favour of luxury and upper mid-income housing. This year, we expect strong traction in premium housing projects where lifestyle, brand equity, and location outweigh pricing sensitivity." With Gurugram contributing to a 91 per cent growth in total luxury sales in NCR, Dua says the city's corporate base and international-grade projects make it a magnet for investors seeking prestige and better rental absorption, despite higher entry costs than Noida.
Noida, however, is playing a different hand. The city's growth is being powered by infrastructure and affordability. Sanjay Sharma, Director of SKA Group, points out that while NCR's overall market has seen slight slowdowns, Noida and Greater Noida are still riding a wave of optimism.
"Property values have surged by over 92 per cent in the past five years. Greater Noida alone has seen a 98 per cent price increase," he says. Projects around the upcoming Noida International Airport, metro expansions, and expressways are boosting buyer confidence.
Experts note that Noida offers lower entry points for new homebuyers than Gurugram. This gives an edge to mid-segment buyers and first-time investors, who would flock to popular and well-connected hub spots near the national capital's central areas. Rental yields, though still stabilising, are improving as more global capability centres (GCCs) and multinational firms set up operations in Noida, making it commercially viable as well.
Sakshee Katiyal, Chairperson of Home & Soul, calls Noida-Greater Noida "a very interesting inflexion point." She notes that corridors like the Yamuna Expressway are seeing record appreciation, with average apartment prices rising by 158 per cent. "This growth has attracted investors who see long-term appreciation potential at comparatively lower entry costs than Gurugram," she adds. Add the upcoming airport development to this, and the region is increasingly becoming a preferred choice for early buyers who would want to capture the market before it fully matures.
The numbers also highlight the scale of such developments. Data from India's Housing Market Trends Q2 2025 report by India Macro Indicators notes that Delhi-NCR saw 22,001 new housing units launched, nearly double the 11,251 units launched in Q1 2025.
In Q2 FY26, Delhi-NCR launched over 22,000 new homes, with sales bouncing back to around 14,500 units. Per-square-foot prices in many parts held steady at Rs 16,400, though inventory pressure remains in Noida with over 50 months of overhang, contrasted with much healthier absorption in Gurugram. The report notes that this trend is expected to see a significant surge during this festive season.
So, where should homebuyers look for their real estate investments during Navratri 2025? The answer lies in the sole discretion, needs and requirements. Gurugram is clearly the hub for luxury seekers and seems like a good spot for those looking towards lifestyle-led appreciation, while Noida offers infrastructure-driven growth at lower entry points, which is particularly good for mid-segment homebuyers. For end-users, both markets provide opportunities.
However, regardless of the purpose, whether you are a homebuyer or real estate investor, the choice should always be made based on your needs and risk appetite.
