Tamsui, Not Banqiao or Zhonghe—The #1 Most Livable District in New Taipei, According to Locals: 'Convenient Transport, Great Amenities, Comfort Like a Resort'

Skyrocketing housing prices in Taipei have prompted many young families and budget-conscious buyers to 'escape north' and shift their home-buying focus to New Taipei City, where prices are more affordable and infrastructure developments continue to roll out. According to the latest data from Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior and statistics from the Yongqing Real Estate Group, Tamsui District led all administrative regions in New Taipei City with a net population inflow of 4,358 people over the past year. Tucheng and Linkou Districts followed in second and third place with 1,675 and 1,335 net in-migrants, respectively. The top three areas each saw over 100 people moving in monthly, indicating a widespread spillover effect in housing demand.

2026 Ranking of Most Popular Residential Districts in New Taipei: Housing Prices and Net Population Inflow Data

According to statistics from the Yongqing Housing Research and Development Center, the top four districts in New Taipei City by net population inflow—Tamsui, Tucheng, Linkou, and Sanchong—all exceeded 1,000 net in-migrants annually. Below is a summary of housing prices and demographic changes for the top ten districts in New Taipei City:

Net Inflow Rank | District | Net Inflow (Past Year) | Average Price (NT$10,000/Py) | Core Advantages and Development Focus 1 | Tamsui | 4,358 | 30.7 | Low price base, well-developed Tamsui New Town, direct MRT access to Taipei via Tamsui–Xinyi Line 2 | Tucheng | 1,675 | 400,000s | Convenient Ban-Nan Line, future Wanda Line Phase II and Judicial Park development 3 | Linkou | 1,335 | 400,000s–500,000s | Airport MRT connectivity, industrial clusters, large malls, quality healthcare and education 4 | Sanchong | 1,000 | 500,000s | One bridge to Taipei, dense MRT network, redevelopment zones and urban renewal projects 5 | Wugu | Hundreds | 300,000s–400,000s | Zhouziyang redevelopment zone, proximity to secondary downtown and elevated expressway network 6 | Xizhi | Hundreds | 400,000s–500,000s | Adjacent to Neihu and Nangang, spillover from tech corridor, Xidong Line development 7 | Xindian | Hundreds | 500,000s | Songshan-Xindian Line, high-quality living environment, close to Taipei’s Wenshan and Xinyi Districts 8 | Taishan | Hundreds | 400,000s | Wanzai New Town redevelopment prospects, Airport MRT and expressways 9 | Bali | Hundreds | 200,000s–300,000s | Affordable prices, Taipei Port Special Zone, benefits from Danjiang Bridge completion 10 | Sanxia | Hundreds | 400,000s | Mature商圈 around National Taipei University, anticipation of San-ying MRT Line opening

(Data source: Ministry of the Interior, Yongqing Real Estate Group. Actual transaction prices subject to latest public registry data.)

Transport and Industrial Development Boost Tucheng, Linkou, and Core Districts

Chen Jinping, Deputy Director of the Yongqing Housing Research and Development Center, noted that besides Tamsui’s top ranking, Tucheng and Linkou also demonstrated strong appeal:

Tucheng District: Benefits from the existing Ban-Nan MRT Line, along with future developments like the Wanda Line Phase II and the Judicial Park, attracting many owner-occupiers to move in early.

Linkou District: Leveraging Airport MRT connectivity and established industrial clusters, combined with the arrival of major commercial facilities like Mitsui Outlet, Linkou Chang Gung Medical Center, and bilingual schools, Linkou remains highly attractive to high-income commuters from Taipei and New Taipei, even as average home prices exceed NT$20 million.

Additionally, although Xindian and Sanchong Districts have average prices in the 500,000s—making them the most expensive among the top ten—Sanchong’s mature lifestyle amenities, 'one bridge to Taipei' advantage, dense MRT network, and ongoing urban renewal projects continue to attract a large number of well-funded buyers from Taipei.

Why Is Everyone Moving to Tamsui? 5 Key Advantages Explained

In this survey, Tamsui District led with a staggering 4,358 net in-migrants, far ahead of others, making it the most attractive destination in New Taipei. What makes Tamsui so appealing that homebuyers are willing to 'trade time for space'? Here are the five core advantages:

1. Exceptionally Affordable Entry-Level Prices, Rare in the Taipei Metropolitan Area Tamsui’s current average price is around NT$307,000 per ping, with an average total price of approximately NT$11.67 million. Compared to Taipei’s sky-high entry prices, Tamsui offers a significantly lower financial burden, enabling first-time buyers, newlyweds, and young families to achieve homeownership at an affordable cost.

2. Spacious Living for a Higher Quality of Life With the same budget, buyers in Taipei might only afford a cramped old apartment, but in Tamsui—especially in Tamsui New Town—they can purchase newer, well-equipped, spacious, and well-designed apartments, greatly enhancing living comfort and space.

3. Major Transit and Infrastructure Projects Coming Online In addition to the existing Tamsui–Xinyi MRT Line, which provides direct access to Taipei Main Station and the Xinyi Planning District, the Tamsui Light Rail already offers convenient local connectivity. More importantly, with the ongoing construction and upcoming completion of key infrastructure projects like the Danjiang Bridge and Tanbei Road, long-standing traffic bottlenecks for Tamsui residents will be significantly alleviated, boosting both property values and convenience.

4. Comprehensive Lifestyle Amenities in Tamsui New Town After years of development, Tamsui New Town has moved beyond its early 'remote and isolated' phase. The area now features Miramar Entertainment Park, Carrefour hypermarkets, various chain restaurants, PX Mart, and ubiquitous convenience stores. With newly built elementary schools and well-planned parks and green spaces, all daily needs can be met within the district.

5. Unique Waterfront, Mountain, and Leisure Ambiance Tamsui boasts rare estuary scenery, mangrove ecosystems, the Golden Waterfront Promenade, and historic cultural zones. This blend of natural beauty and resort-like living offers a unique appeal unmatched by other urban areas, especially for those who value lifestyle rituals, wellness, or retirement planning.