Cost of Living on the Costa del Sol: Monthly Budget Breakdown 2026

How Far Does Your Money Go on the Costa del Sol?

One of the most common questions UK buyers ask when considering a move to Spain is: how much does it actually cost to live on the Costa del Sol? The answer varies enormously depending on your lifestyle, location, and whether you are renting or have paid off your mortgage. But with careful budgeting, most British expats find that their money stretches significantly further in southern Spain than it does in the UK.

This guide provides a detailed monthly budget breakdown based on real 2026 costs, drawn from expat experience and current local pricing. We compare three popular Costa del Sol locations at different price points: Marbella (premium), Estepona (mid-range), and Fuengirola (affordable), and benchmark everything against typical UK costs.

Monthly Budget Overview: Three Scenarios

Expense Category	Marbella (Premium)	Estepona (Mid-Range)	Fuengirola (Affordable)	UK Equivalent (South East)
Housing (2-bed apartment)	1,200 - 1,800 EUR	800 - 1,200 EUR	650 - 950 EUR	1,500 - 2,200 GBP
Utilities	120 - 180 EUR	100 - 150 EUR	90 - 140 EUR	200 - 300 GBP
Groceries	400 - 550 EUR	350 - 450 EUR	300 - 400 EUR	400 - 600 GBP
Transport	100 - 200 EUR	80 - 150 EUR	60 - 120 EUR	200 - 400 GBP
Healthcare	100 - 300 EUR	100 - 300 EUR	100 - 300 EUR	Free (NHS) / 100-200 GBP private
Dining and entertainment	400 - 700 EUR	250 - 400 EUR	200 - 350 EUR	300 - 600 GBP
Total (couple)	2,320 - 3,730 EUR	1,680 - 2,650 EUR	1,400 - 2,260 EUR	2,700 - 4,300 GBP

At current exchange rates (approximately 1 GBP = 1.17 EUR), a couple can live comfortably in Fuengirola or Estepona for 1,400 to 2,650 euros per month, equivalent to roughly 1,200 to 2,260 GBP. This is substantially less than the 2,700 to 4,300 GBP you would spend for a comparable lifestyle in the South East of England.

Housing Costs in Detail

Renting

Long-term rental prices on the Costa del Sol have risen steadily since 2022, driven by demand from remote workers and the growing expat population. However, they remain well below UK levels for comparable properties:

• Marbella (Golden Mile / Nueva Andalucia): A 2-bedroom apartment with pool and parking rents for 1,200 to 1,800 euros per month. A 3-bedroom townhouse runs 1,800 to 2,800 euros. Puerto Banus and beachfront command the highest premiums
• Estepona (town and New Golden Mile): A 2-bedroom apartment with communal pool rents for 800 to 1,200 euros per month. Newer developments along the New Golden Mile are at the higher end. Estepona old town offers charming apartments for 700 to 900 euros
• Fuengirola and Los Boliches: The most affordable major town on the coast. A 2-bedroom apartment rents for 650 to 950 euros. Properties a few streets back from the beach are significantly cheaper than frontline

Comparison to UK: A 2-bedroom flat in a Surrey town with good transport links costs 1,500 to 2,200 GBP per month. In central London, the same would be 2,500 GBP or more. Even Marbella's premium rents are comparable to or below the English Home Counties.

Owning: Monthly Property Costs

If you have bought a property (with or without a mortgage), your ongoing monthly costs include:

• Community fees: 50 to 250 euros per month, depending on the development. Luxury urbanisations with concierge, gym, and multiple pools charge 200 to 400 euros. A standard apartment complex with pool and gardens is typically 80 to 150 euros
• IBI (council tax equivalent): 400 to 1,200 euros per year, depending on the cadastral value of the property. Typically 40 to 100 euros per month when annualised
• Basura (rubbish collection): 60 to 120 euros per year. A nominal charge in most municipalities
• Home insurance: 200 to 500 euros per year for a standard apartment. More for villas or high-value contents
• Mortgage payment (if applicable): On a 200,000 euro mortgage over 20 years at 3.5% fixed, expect approximately 1,160 euros per month. Non-resident mortgages typically cover 60-70% of the purchase price

Utilities: Much Cheaper Than the UK

Utility costs in Spain are lower than the UK, partly because of milder winters (far less heating needed) and partly because of lower base tariffs. A typical monthly breakdown for a 2-bedroom apartment:

Utility	Monthly Cost (Spain)	Monthly Cost (UK equivalent)
Electricity	60 - 100 EUR	80 - 150 GBP
Water	20 - 35 EUR	30 - 50 GBP
Gas (if connected)	15 - 30 EUR	40 - 80 GBP
Internet (fibre)	30 - 45 EUR	30 - 50 GBP
Mobile phone	10 - 25 EUR	15 - 40 GBP
Total	135 - 235 EUR	195 - 370 GBP

Important note on electricity: Summer air conditioning can push electricity bills to 150 to 200 euros per month in July and August if you run it constantly. Many expats manage this by using ceiling fans, keeping blinds closed during the day, and only running air conditioning in the evenings. Winter heating costs are minimal — most apartments need heating for only 2 to 3 months, and even then only in the evenings.

Spanish electricity contracts offer discriminacion horaria (time-of-use tariffs) that charge different rates depending on the time of day. Running your washing machine, dishwasher, and charging devices during the cheaper overnight period (midnight to 8am) can reduce your electricity bill by 20 to 30%.

Groceries and Food Shopping

Grocery shopping in Spain is generally 15 to 25% cheaper than the UK, with significantly better value on fresh produce, meat, fish, and wine. Here is a comparison of typical items:

Item	Spain (EUR)	UK (GBP)
1L semi-skimmed milk	0.85 - 1.10	1.15 - 1.40
1kg chicken breast	5.50 - 7.00	6.50 - 9.00
1kg tomatoes	1.20 - 2.00	2.00 - 3.50
1 dozen eggs	1.80 - 2.50	2.50 - 3.50
Bottle of wine (decent table wine)	2.50 - 5.00	6.00 - 10.00
1kg rice	0.90 - 1.50	1.20 - 2.00
Loaf of bread	0.80 - 1.50	1.20 - 2.00
1kg oranges	0.80 - 1.50	1.80 - 2.50
Beer (6-pack local brand)	3.50 - 5.00	6.00 - 9.00
Olive oil (1L extra virgin)	7.00 - 12.00	8.00 - 14.00

Where to shop: The main supermarket chains on the Costa del Sol are Mercadona (best overall value and quality), Lidl and Aldi (familiar to UK buyers, good prices), Carrefour (widest range, including international products), and Supersol/Dia (local convenience). For British products like Marmite, HP Sauce, and specific tea brands, Iceland and various British supermarkets operate in the larger towns. Fuengirola has the best selection of British shops on the coast.

Many expats supplement supermarket shopping with local mercados (covered markets). The Mercado de Estepona and Mercado de Fuengirola offer exceptional fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables at prices significantly below supermarket rates. Saturday morning markets in most towns sell local produce directly from farmers.

A couple buying primarily from Mercadona and supplementing with market produce can eat very well for 300 to 450 euros per month. If you regularly buy imported British products or shop exclusively at premium supermarkets, expect 450 to 600 euros.

Dining Out: Where Spain Truly Shines

Eating out in Spain offers extraordinary value compared to the UK. The menu del dia (daily set menu) is a Spanish institution: a three-course meal with bread, a drink, and often coffee, served at lunchtime (typically 1pm to 4pm) for 10 to 16 euros. This is not tourist food — it is what working Spaniards eat every day, and the quality is usually excellent.

• Menu del dia: 10 to 16 euros per person (three courses with drink)
• Coffee: 1.20 to 1.80 euros for a cafe con leche (compare to 3 to 5 GBP in the UK)
• Beer (caña/small draught): 1.50 to 2.50 euros
• Tapas (per dish): 3 to 8 euros. A full tapas dinner for two with drinks costs 30 to 50 euros
• Mid-range restaurant dinner: 20 to 35 euros per person with wine
• Marbella upscale restaurant: 50 to 100 euros per person

Cost comparison: A couple eating out twice a week (one menu del dia and one evening meal) plus regular coffees and occasional tapas can budget 200 to 350 euros per month. The same frequency of dining out in the UK would cost 400 to 700 GBP, roughly double.

Marbella is the exception. Restaurants in Puerto Banus and the Golden Mile charge prices comparable to London. But walk 10 minutes inland to San Pedro de Alcantara or the old town, and prices drop to standard Costa del Sol levels.

Transport: Cars, Buses, and Trains

Most expats on the Costa del Sol own a car, as public transport links between towns are adequate but not extensive. However, costs are lower than the UK across every category:

• Petrol: Approximately 1.50 to 1.65 euros per litre (compared to 1.40 to 1.55 GBP in the UK). Prices are roughly comparable
• Car insurance: 300 to 700 euros per year for comprehensive cover. Significantly cheaper than the UK, where equivalent cover might cost 600 to 1,500 GBP
• ITV (MOT equivalent): 30 to 50 euros. Annual for cars over 4 years old
• Road tax (IVTM): 60 to 150 euros per year, depending on the municipality and engine size
• Tolls: The AP-7 motorway along the Costa del Sol is now free (tolls were removed in 2020). The only toll roads near the coast are some sections towards Cadiz and Granada

Public transport: The Cercanias commuter train connects Malaga, Malaga Airport, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, and Fuengirola. Single tickets cost 1.80 to 2.70 euros. The long-planned extension to Marbella and Estepona remains in the planning stages. Between towns, Avanza buses provide regular service along the coast road for 2 to 6 euros per journey.

A couple with one car (owned outright) should budget 80 to 200 euros per month for fuel, insurance (annualised), maintenance, and parking. This is substantially less than the UK, where the AA estimates average motoring costs at 400 to 500 GBP per month.

Healthcare: The One Area Where Costs Rise

Healthcare is the most significant additional cost for UK expats in Spain, because you lose free NHS access once you are no longer UK resident. Your options depend on your residency status:

• UK state pension recipients with residency: Your S1 form entitles you to access the Spanish public healthcare system (SAS in Andalusia) at no additional cost. The quality of public healthcare in Andalusia is high, with modern regional hospitals in Marbella, Estepona, and Malaga
• Convenio especial (public healthcare buy-in): Non-pension-age residents can join the Spanish public system for approximately 60 euros per month (under 65) or 157 euros per month (over 65). This gives you full access to the public system
• Private health insurance: Required for most visa applications. Costs range from 60 to 150 euros per month for under-50s to 200 to 400 euros per month for over-65s. Providers like Sanitas, Adeslas, and Asisa offer comprehensive cover with short waiting times and English-speaking doctors

Dental and optical care: These are not covered by the Spanish public system (similar to the UK). Private dental check-ups cost 30 to 60 euros, and a filling costs 50 to 100 euros — roughly half the UK private dentistry rates. Many UK expats specifically visit Spanish dentists because of the cost savings.

For a detailed breakdown of healthcare options, read our guide: Healthcare and Insurance for UK Expats in Spain.

Entertainment and Lifestyle

Living on the Costa del Sol is not just about the numbers — the lifestyle is a major part of the value proposition. Many activities that cost significant money in the UK are free or very cheap in Spain:

• Beaches: All Spanish beaches are public and free. No charges for access, though sunbed hire costs 8 to 15 euros per day at beach clubs
• Gym membership: 25 to 50 euros per month for well-equipped local gyms. Premium chains like Holmes Place charge 60 to 90 euros. Compare to 30 to 80 GBP in the UK
• Golf: The Costa del Sol has over 70 courses. Green fees range from 40 to 80 euros at mid-range courses to 150 to 300 euros at premium clubs like Valderrama. Annual memberships at good courses cost 2,000 to 5,000 euros — roughly half the equivalent UK membership at a comparable club
• Cinema: 7 to 10 euros per ticket. Cinesur in Marbella and Fuengirola show films in original English version (V.O.)
• Padel: Spain's most popular sport. Court hire costs 8 to 16 euros per hour (shared between 4 players). Many communities have free or very cheap courts
• Swimming: Many apartments include communal pools at no additional cost beyond community fees. Municipal pools charge 3 to 5 euros per session

The Bottom Line: How Much Do You Need?

Based on the detailed breakdown above, here are realistic monthly budgets for a couple at three different lifestyle levels on the Costa del Sol:

Lifestyle Level	Monthly Budget (Couple)	UK Equivalent Lifestyle
Comfortable (Fuengirola/Mijas)	1,400 - 1,800 EUR (1,200 - 1,540 GBP)	Would cost 2,400 - 3,200 GBP in the UK
Mid-range (Estepona/Benalmadena)	1,800 - 2,500 EUR (1,540 - 2,140 GBP)	Would cost 3,200 - 4,200 GBP in the UK
Premium (Marbella/Benahavis)	2,500 - 4,000 EUR (2,140 - 3,420 GBP)	Would cost 4,500 - 6,500 GBP in the UK

Most UK expats receiving a combined state pension (approximately 1,600 GBP per month for a couple in 2026) find this covers their basic living costs in Fuengirola or a similar affordable town. Any private pension, savings income, or rental income from a UK property provides comfortable extras.

The savings are most dramatic in dining out, alcohol, entertainment, and transport. Where Spain is comparable to or more expensive than the UK is in imported goods, some electronics, and the initial cost of private health insurance if you are accustomed to NHS care.

To start exploring properties on the Costa del Sol, browse our property listings or join the MUNDO Buyer Club to get personalised recommendations based on your budget and lifestyle preferences.