The cost of living on the Costa del Sol can vary significantly depending on the specific area and lifestyle choices. Generally, the Costa del Sol, which includes popular destinations such as Málaga, Marbella, and Fuengirola, offers a range of living costs from more affordable to quite expensive. Here’s an overview of typical expenses to give you an idea of the cost of living in this beautiful region of Spain.
We'll be comparing living costs on the coast and inland rural areas, in case you're wondering if it's cheaper to live on the coast of Spain or in rural, inland areas.
The sources of information we used to present in this article come from:
- Recent studies into the cost of living on the Costa del Sol
- Our own experiences
- Anecdotes from others
- Online tools such as Numbeo
- Property searches carried out in June 2024 on popular property portals such as Idealista
Housing
Renting an Apartment: The cost of renting can vary widely. In Málaga city, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre can cost between €700-€1,000 per month. In more upscale areas like Marbella, prices are higher, with city centre one-bedroom apartments ranging from €1,200-€2,000.
Is it cheaper to rent inland? You can rent the same standard of apartment for €500-€800 in towns such as Coín. You can generally get a lot more "bang for your buck" as you tend to get more space for the amount you pay.
Buying Property: Property prices also vary. In Málaga, the average price per square metre for an apartment is around €3,000, while in Marbella, it can range from €5,000 or more, depending on the location and property type.
Is it cheaper to buy properties inland? Generally, yes. The average price per square meter for properties in Mijas in 2024 is around €3,500. Mijas has seen a huge rise in house prices this past year due to increasing demand. In 2023, the average price per square meter was €2,500! Other areas such as Coin and Alhaurin El Grande have slightly lower prices per square meter. This is based on villas and fincas for sale rather than apartments. So you can certainly buy a bigger property inland than on the coast.
Utilities
Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage: For a standard 85 m² apartment, monthly utilities can cost around €100-€150. Energy and fuel in Spain are heavily subsidised by the Government so energy costs are a LOT lower than in the UK.
Internet: High-speed internet costs around €30-€50 per month.
Groceries
Monthly Grocery Bill: For a couple, the monthly grocery bill can range from €200-€400, depending on shopping habits and preferences for local versus imported products. Read this article about a British couple who moved from the UK to the Costa del Sol for a good anecdote on costs of living in Spain!
Are food prices cheaper in big supermarkets in the inland areas of Spain than on the coast? No, there are not any big differences in prices between doing your weekly shop at a big supermarket inland or by the coast.
Eating Out
Restaurants: Eating out is relatively affordable. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around €10-€15 per person, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant might cost between €60-€100.
Transportation
Public Transport: A monthly public transport pass in Málaga costs around €40. In other towns, costs can be similar or slightly lower.
Fuel: Petrol prices are approximately €1.50-€1.70 per litre.
Healthcare
Public Healthcare: Spain has a robust public healthcare system, and costs are low for residents. Many expats opt for private health insurance for more convenience and shorter wait times. Private health insurance costs around €50-€100 per month for an individual, depending on coverage. Sanitas (BUPA) and Adesla are two common private health insurance companies.
Miscellaneous
Gym Membership: A gym membership costs around €30-€50 per month.
Entertainment: Cinema tickets cost around €7-€10, and other recreational activities such as visiting local attractions can vary.
Key Findings
According to Numbeo, these are the estimated costs of living in Malaga:
- A family of four's estimated monthly costs are £2,021.5 (2,387.7€) without rent.
- A single person's estimated monthly costs are £577.2 (681.8€) without rent.
- Malaga is 42.2% less expensive than London (without rent).
- Rent in Malaga is, on average, 64.7% lower than in London.
We estimate the cost of living in the inland areas of the Costa del Sol to be around 25% cheaper than living on the coast.
Generally speaking, in more tourist-centric and upscale areas like Marbella, costs will be higher, whereas cities like Málaga and smaller towns more inland can offer more affordable options.
Does it cost less to live in Spain than in the UK? Generally speaking, yes! Of course this does depend on spending habits. Based on the figures for a family of 4 or a retired couple, it is cheaper to live on the Costa del Sol than in the UK.
What income you need if you want to retire to Spain
If you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen (this includes UK residents) who wishes to retire in Spain, you’ll need to prove you have enough income to support yourself without income from employment. The minimum figure for this is:
€2,259 per month or just over €27,000 per calendar year.
An additional €6,778 for each additional family member.
This means a couple would need a combined annual income of at least €33,893.
These figures are as of 2021 and are subject to change, so always do your research when planning your move. Bare in mind you will also need private medical insurance and undergo a criminal record check.
We recommend speaking to a gestor to handle your paperwork when moving to Spain such as Irina Saltmarsh from Malaga Expat.
Are you ready to take the next step?
When you are ready to start looking for your dream home in the sun, here are some popular properties most popular with buyers at the moment:
Villas & Fincas For Sale in the inland areas of the Costa del Sol
