City Guide
The Costa del Sol capital, beaches, sunshine, and massive expat community. English widely spoken, beach lifestyle, but can feel touristy. Great for retirees and remote workers.
At A Glance
- One bedroom rent
- €1,100a month, city centre
- Two bedroom rent
- €1,400a month, city centre
- Climate
- Hot and sunny30° in summer, 13° in winter
- Rainy days
- 45a year
- People
- 580,000Andalusia
What a month costs
| Household | A tight month | A comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| One person | €2,050 | €2,800 |
| A couple | €2,600 | €3,700 |
| A family of four | €3,800 | €5,350 |
Rent, utilities, food, health cover, transport and phones, after tax. The family figure assumes a two bedroom flat, cover for everyone and a school allowance. All of it is an estimate built from September 2026 asking prices, not a promise.
What people love
- One of the sunniest cities in Europe (~2,900 hours/year, AEMET)
- Beautiful beaches
- Huge expat community (largest in Spain)
- English everywhere
- International airport with cheap flights
- Mountains (skiing!) 2 hours away
- Growing tech/startup scene
- Excellent healthcare
What to go in knowing
- Can feel too touristy/expat-heavy
- Less 'authentic' Spanish culture
- Gets very crowded in summer
- Limited job market (remote work best)
- Rising prices due to expat demand
Rents are typical city centre asking prices in September 2026 and move with the market. Everything here is a guide, not a promise.
