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- Spain is typically lower than the UK on groceries, restaurants, utilities and public transport — around 25% overall (Numbeo’s user-reported data, Sept 2026).
- The Costa del Sol, by contrast, can be expensive for property, especially near the beach and in internationally sought-after areas.
- Your financial edge is greatest if your income comes from the UK — a pension, savings, investments or remote work — so the lower price base lands without the lower Spanish wage level.
- The purchase price is only part of it: budget also for community fees, property tax, insurance, upkeep and a car.
For British buyers weighing up a home in Spain, the question is rarely «is it cheaper?» but «by how much, and where?». Below we put the figures side by side, separate the national averages from the reality on the Costa del Sol, and show a concrete monthly budget.
Is it cheaper to live in Spain than in the UK?
On day-to-day costs, yes. Numbeo’s user-reported data points in September 2026 to overall living costs in Spain roughly 25% below the UK. Rent is about 26% lower. The gap varies considerably by city, property type, energy use and lifestyle, so treat the figures as direction, not gospel.
Spain vs. the UK: prices for food, housing, transport and utilities
| Category | Spain | the UK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (Numbeo) | 51.4 | 68.2 | ~25 % lower |
| Consumer prices incl. rent | — | — | ~25 % lower |
| Rent, 1-bed city centre / mo. | ~€904 | ~€1171 | ~26 % lower |
| Groceries | — | — | ~20 % lower |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | €15 | €19 | ~26 % lower |
| Utilities (elec/water/heat) / mo. | €133 | €281 | ~53 % lower |
| Monthly public transport pass | €30 | €90 | ~67 % lower |
| Local purchasing power (wage-adjusted) | — | — | ~19 % lower |
Indicative averages, user-reported. Amounts in EUR. Source: Numbeo, September 2026. These are national averages — see the Costa del Sol note below.
The figures above are national averages for Spain. On the Costa del Sol, housing costs are often above the Spanish national average, especially near the coast and in internationally sought-after areas. Everyday costs like restaurants, services and some transport stay lower, though. A car, private health insurance and community fees in an urbanisation can also change the total. We document the actual area levels below.
What does it cost to live on the Costa del Sol?
Below we use current data from Plexo Properties’ own selection on the Costa del Sol. The per-square-metre figures are medians of our active listings (26 September 2026). These are asking prices, not official transaction statistics. They show the price level in our current selection and should be used as a local market indicator — not as the final sale price.
Property prices in La Cala de Mijas
La Cala is among the most in-demand with Scandinavian and northern-European buyers: beach, golf and a calm pace. The median in our listings is around €5,100/m², with a wide spread depending on distance to the beach and condition. See the La Cala de Mijas area.
Property prices in Fuengirola
Fuengirola is the town with a promenade, a train to Málaga and the airport, and year-round life. Our selection here leans towards coastal properties, and the median is around €5,100/m². See the Fuengirola area and homes.
Property prices in Elviria and Marbella East
Elviria and Marbella East (Las Chapas, Cabopino) are villa areas next to some of the coast’s best beaches, with an international feel. The median here is higher, around €5,500/m². See the Elviria and Marbella East area.
If you want more home for your budget without leaving the coast, Calahonda and Mijas Costa sit lower — the median in our selection is around €4,500/m² in Calahonda, while a broader search across the Mijas municipality (including inland Mijas Pueblo) pulls the median down towards €3,800/m². For context, the city of Málaga hit €3,938/m² in August 2026 (Idealista, portal listings) and Marbella exceeded €5,600/m².
The figures show the median price per m² of active Plexo Properties listings as of 26 September 2026, based on listings where both price and floor area (built area) are given: La Cala de Mijas (145 listings), Fuengirola (387), Elviria (151), Calahonda (167), Mijas (181). The selection mixes apartments, townhouses and villas. These are asking prices, not recorded sale prices, and are affected by property type, location, condition and the make-up of the current selection. We re-check at least quarterly.
When you buy on the Costa del Sol, the purchase price is only the starting point. Normally budget also for transfer tax or VAT, legal fees, notary, land-registry registration and any financing costs. The exact rate depends on property type, price, how you buy and how you finance it. Read our Costa del Sol buyer’s guide.
An example monthly budget for a couple
An indicative example of fixed everyday costs — excluding purchase/mortgage — based on Numbeo’s price differences (Sept 2026). It is an example, not personal advice; your real spending decides the rest.
| Cost / mo. | Couple in the UK | Couple on the Costa del Sol |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | ~€560 | ~€450 |
| Restaurants (moderate) | ~€200 | ~€150 |
| Electricity, water, heating + internet | ~€260 | ~€180 |
| Transport | ~€220 | ~€120–450+ |
| Community fees (apartment/urbanisation) | — | ~€120 |
| Total (excl. housing) | ~€1,240 | ~€1,020–1,350+ |
Indicative example, not personal advice. The budget assumes moderate spending and limited driving: the transport line is lower without a car but higher with one or two (insurance, fuel, parking) — for many residents it therefore exceeds a home-country travel pass. Community fees don’t apply to every property type and can be much higher in some resort/golf urbanisations. Work out your own with our cost calculator.
Who does it suit?
The benefit of Spain’s lower everyday prices lands differently depending on where your income comes from:
| Situation | The economic picture |
|---|---|
| A UK pension or investments | Typically benefits from lower everyday prices without a local pay cut. |
| Remote work on a UK/northern-European salary | Often attractive, but check tax, residency and insurance separately. |
| A permanent local job in Spain | Lower prices, but also lower local purchasing power (~19% below home). |
| A holiday home and part-time stays | Property, community fees, upkeep and travel weigh more than groceries. |
If you’re weighing up the whole process, read our Costa del Sol buyer’s guide.
Find a home on the Costa del Sol
Where to look depends mostly on what you prioritise:
| If you prioritise … | Area | See homes |
|---|---|---|
| Family-friendly beach town, restaurants, calm pace | La Cala de Mijas | La Cala de Mijas |
| Beach, international feel, near Marbella | Elviria / Marbella East | Elviria · Marbella East |
| Town, promenade, train and year-round life | Fuengirola | Fuengirola |
| More home for your budget, still on the coast | Mijas Costa / Calahonda | Calahonda |
Get a realistic monthly budget for your area
We can compare property prices, community fees, taxes and everyday budget in the exact areas you’re considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to live in Spain than in the UK?
On day-to-day costs, yes. Numbeo’s user-reported data points in September 2026 to living costs around 25% below the UK. Property on the Costa del Sol can sit above the Spanish average, though, especially near the coast and in Marbella.
What does a home on the Costa del Sol cost?
In Plexo Properties’ current listings (26 Sept 2026) the median is around €5,100/m² in La Cala de Mijas and Fuengirola, ~€5,500/m² in Elviria and ~€4,500/m² in Calahonda. These are asking prices and vary by area, distance to the beach and condition.
Are wages also lower in Spain?
Yes. Local purchasing power is lower than in the UK because wages are lower. The benefit of the lower prices is greatest if you bring a pension or income from home.
How much cheaper are groceries and restaurants?
Numbeo’s data points to groceries and restaurants noticeably cheaper than in the UK. An inexpensive restaurant meal is around €15 in Spain.
Sources: Numbeo — the UK vs Spain (checked 26 Sept 2026) · Numbeo — cost-of-living index 2026 (checked 26 Sept 2026) · Idealista — Málaga (Aug 2026) · Plexo Properties own listings (extracted 26 Sept 2026). Figures are indicative and re-checked quarterly.