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City in Costa del Sol, Spain

Cost of living in Málaga

Updated October 2026Sources

How much a month costs in Málaga

For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $2,250–3,150 (€2,000–2,800).

Lean$1,350–1,910€1,200–1,700 · Room or studio, local food
Comfortable$2,250–3,150€2,000–2,800 · 1-bed apartment, eating out daily
Luxury$4,050–6,530€3,600–5,800 · Upscale apartment, restaurants, taxis

Prices in Málaga

Typical 2026 ranges in EUR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.

ItemEURUS$
Housing
1-bedroom apartment, center (month)€1,000–1,600$1,130–1,800
1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month)€700–1,100$788–1,240
Hostel dorm bed (night)€22–40$25–45
Mid-range hotel room (night)€90–170$101–191
Food and drink
Local meal or street food€9–13$10.1–14.6
Mid-range restaurant, per person€18–32$20–36
Cappuccino€2–3$2.3–3.4
Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar€3–5$3.4–5.6
Getting around
Public transport, one ride€1–2$1.1–2.3
Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km€6–12$6.8–13.5
Work and life
Coworking day pass€12–25$14–28
Gym membership (month)€25–55$28–62
Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month)€10–25$11–28

Value for money: 36/100

A value score of 36/100 means Málaga gives more quality of life per dollar than 35% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 80/100. It's the 26th most affordable of 37 places we cover in Spain.

Quality factorScore
Safety75
Air quality93
Internet84
Healthcare90
Weather67
Friendly locals75
English75

Cost of living across Spain

One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.

PlaceComfortable monthValue
Salamanca$1,460–2,14071/100
Santiago de Compostela$1,580–2,25066/100
Granada$1,690–2,36057/100
Córdoba$1,690–2,36060/100
Toledo$1,690–2,36062/100
Cádiz$1,690–2,48056/100
Benidorm$1,690–2,48058/100
Seville$1,910–2,70047/100
Gran Canaria$1,910–2,70052/100
Las Palmas$1,910–2,70051/100
Alicante$1,910–2,70045/100
Fuerteventura$1,910–2,70050/100
Costa Blanca$1,910–2,700—
Maspalomas$1,910–2,70052/100
Lanzarote$2,030–2,81047/100
Tenerife$2,030–2,93044/100
Costa Brava$2,030–2,930—
Valencia$2,140–3,04036/100
Costa del Sol$2,140–3,040—
Málaga$2,250–3,15036/100
Bilbao$2,360–3,26035/100
Madrid$2,480–3,38025/100
Menorca$2,480–3,60030/100
Sitges$2,480–3,60025/100
Marbella$2,590–3,71024/100
Barcelona$2,700–3,71022/100
Mallorca$2,700–3,71022/100
Palma$2,700–3,71022/100
San Sebastián$2,930–4,05021/100
Ibiza$3,150–4,50013/100

Cheaper alternatives to Málaga

Similar safety, lower cost, in Europe.

PlaceCountryComfortable month
OhridNorth Macedonia$829–1,290
SibiuRomania$1,160–1,690
MostarBosnia and Herzegovina$920–1,320
BrașovRomania$1,160–1,690
SkopjeNorth Macedonia$1,010–1,570

Quick answers

How much money do you need per month in Málaga?

About $1,350–1,910 on a lean budget, $2,250–3,150 for a comfortable month and $4,050–6,530 for a luxury one, rent included.

How much is rent in Málaga?

A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs €1,000–1,600 ($1,130–1,800) a month in the center and €700–1,100 ($788–1,240) outside it.

How much does food cost in Málaga?

A local meal is €9–13 ($10.1–14.6); a mid-range restaurant is €18–32 ($20–36) per person.

Is Spain expensive?

Prices in Spain are about 64% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).

More about Málaga

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Sources

Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.