Málaga

Spain

591,637 people22m elevationEurope/Madrid51

Overview

Monthly Cost

$2,160

1 person, with rent

Safety

out of 100

180

Quality of Life

out of 200

Healthcare

out of 100

Pollution

lower is better

Málaga ranked #1 in Expat City Ranking 2024. Growing tech hub with Google's cybersecurity center. Dedicated digital nomad support through Málaga WorkBay initiative.

Soho and historic center popular with expats. Costa del Sol provides beach lifestyle nearby. Monthly budget: Frugal single $1,200-1,500, Comfortable single $1,900-2,300, Couple $2,800-3,400.

Cost of Living

Monthly costs in Málaga in USD. Editorial estimates combined with Numbeo data.

Numbeo Estimated Monthly Cost (1 person, with rent)

$2,160

Food: $177

Housing (monthly rent)

Studio

Budget$750

Mid-range$1,000

Upscale$1,400

1 Bedroom

Budget$1,003

Mid-range$1,333

Upscale$1,800

2 Bedroom

Budget$1,300

Mid-range$1,700

Upscale$2,400

Food

Monthly Groceries

Budget$200

Mid-range$280

Premium$420

Dining (per meal)

Street food$6

Casual restaurant$12

Nice restaurant$28

Upscale$60

Transportation

Public transit (monthly)$35

Uber/taxi (avg ride)$8

Fuel (monthly)$120

Parking (monthly)$80

Utilities

Electric (low)$50

Electric (average)$70

Electric (high)$90

Water$22

Gas$28

Internet$32

Lifestyle

Gym membership$42

Cleaning (weekly)$45

Coworking space$160

Healthcare

Doctor visit$85

Basic insurance (monthly)$55

Comprehensive insurance$160

Other

Phone plan$18

Subscriptions$30

Quality of Life

Numbeo indices for Málaga. Higher is better unless noted otherwise.

Quality of Life180/200

Composite index (0-200)

Safety68/100

Healthcare71/100

Purchasing Power91/200

Relative to NYC baseline

Climate97/100

Cost of Living50/100

Lower = more affordable (NYC = 100)

Pollution33/100

Lower = cleaner

Traffic92/250

Lower = less congestion

Crime32/100

Lower = less crime

Rent28/100

Lower = cheaper rent (NYC = 100)

Based on 102 Numbeo contributors.

Prices

55 item prices in Málaga from Numbeo (USD).

Item	Average	Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant, Restaurants	17.19	11.46 – 22.93
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks), Restaurants	68.78	45.85 – 91.70
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal), Restaurants	10.32	9.17 – 13.76
Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter), Restaurants	3.44	2.29 – 5.15
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants	4.59	3.44 – 5.73
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants	2.52	2.06 – 3.44
Bottled Water (0.33 Liter), Restaurants	1.99	1.15 – 2.87
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter), Markets	1.24	1.15 – 1.51
Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf), Markets	1.44	1.07 – 2.29
Eggs (12, Large Size), Markets	2.97	2.29 – 3.92
Local Cheese (1 kg), Markets	15.77	9.17 – 27.51
Bottled Water (1.5 Liter), Markets	0.73	0.29 – 1.32
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range), Markets	5.96	3.44 – 8.02
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle), Markets	1.25	1.13 – 1.74
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Markets	2.22	1.38 – 3.44
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro), Markets	6.68	6.30 – 6.88
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport), Transportation	1.60	1.15 – 1.72
Chicken Fillets (1 kg), Markets	8.38	4.01 – 10.32
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price), Transportation	27.45	27.45 – 34.39
Gasoline (1 Liter), Transportation	1.76	1.60 – 1.89
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car), Transportation	36107.50	36107.50 – 36107.50
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month	1329.67	1031.64 – 1490.15
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month	982.97	745.08 – 1490.15
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month	2245.16	2063.29 – 2567.64
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month	1623.29	1490.15 – 1948.66
Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage), Utilities (Monthly)	144.75	94.48 – 229.25
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher), Utilities (Monthly)	26.44	17.19 – 40.12
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data), Utilities (Monthly)	13.18	5.73 – 28.66
Monthly Fitness Club Membership, Sports And Leisure	47.28	28.66 – 57.31
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend), Sports And Leisure	19.06	10.66 – 22.93
Cinema Ticket (International Release), Sports And Leisure	10.09	7.97 – 11.46
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar), Clothing And Shoes	88.60	34.39 – 114.63
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M), Clothing And Shoes	40.15	22.93 – 57.31
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range), Clothing And Shoes	89.43	45.85 – 103.16
Men's Leather Business Shoes, Clothing And Shoes	109.55	45.85 – 114.63
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre, Buy Apartment Price	5068.50	4894.57 – 5502.09
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre, Buy Apartment Price	2898.92	2799.19 – 3324.18
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax), Salaries And Financing	1812.18	—
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %), Salaries And Financing	3.59	2.90 – 5.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff), Transportation	1.93	1.90 – 3.44
Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff), Transportation	1.23	1.20 – 1.93
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff), Transportation	22.88	20.77 – 22.88
Apples (1 kg), Markets	2.43	1.72 – 3.44
Oranges (1 kg), Markets	1.96	1.15 – 2.27
Potatoes (1 kg), Markets	1.77	0.92 – 2.06
Lettuce (1 Head), Markets	1.26	1.15 – 1.36
Cappuccino (Regular Size), Restaurants	2.47	1.38 – 4.59
White Rice (1 kg), Markets	1.73	1.15 – 2.29
Tomatoes (1 kg), Markets	2.46	1.38 – 2.69
Bananas (1 kg), Markets	2.05	1.60 – 2.29
Onions (1 kg), Markets	2.20	1.15 – 2.74
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg), Markets	14.02	6.88 – 18.91
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car), Transportation	29770.26	29745.70 – 29803.01
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child, Childcare	836.52	458.51 – 1146.27
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child, Childcare	10525.79	8023.89 – 13755.24

Safety & Crime

Crime and safety indices for Málaga. Safety scores are out of 100 (higher = safer).

Overall

Safety Index68

Crime Index32

Safe Walking (Day)1

Safe Walking (Night)0

Crime Increasing0

Concern Levels

Home Break-in-1

Mugging / Robbery-1

Car Theft-1

Physical Attack-1

Verbal Harassment-1

Drug Problems0

Property Crime-1

Corruption0

Based on 143 Numbeo contributors.

Healthcare

Healthcare quality indices for Málaga. Scores out of 100 (higher = better).

Quality Ratings

Overall Healthcare Index71

Skill & Competency1

Speed0

Modern Equipment1

Accuracy1

Friendliness1

Responsiveness0

Cost & Insurance

Cost Satisfaction1

Insurance Coverage

None

Public

73%

Private

19%

Employer Sponsored

Based on 48 Numbeo contributors.

Environment

Environmental quality for Málaga. Quality scores are out of 100 (higher = better). Pollution scores: lower = cleaner.

Quality Scores

Air Quality1

Drinking Water1

Green Spaces & Parks1

Cleanliness0

Comfort to Spend Time1

Garbage Disposal1

Pollution Levels

Pollution Index33

Water Pollution0

Noise & Light Pollution0

PM2.58.0 µg/m³

PM1023.0 µg/m³

Based on 37 Numbeo contributors.

Transport & Traffic

Traffic and commute data for Málaga.

Traffic Indices

Traffic Index92

Time Index25

Inefficiency Index57

CO₂ Emission Index2908

Commute

Average Commute

25 min

Transport Modes

Car

42%

Working from Home

23%

Walking

15%

Train/Metro

Bicycle

Motorcycle

Bus/Trolleybus

Tram/Streetcar

Based on 26 Numbeo contributors.

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