The Costa del Sol is the most expensive of the three coasts, the Costa Blanca sits in the middle and the Costa Cálida in Murcia is the cheapest. In mid-2026, asking prices per square metre in five Costa del Sol towns ran from about €3,760 in Mijas to €5,815 in Marbella, the Costa Blanca had a median of about €2,781 across 64 towns, and the Costa Cálida a median of about €1,900 across 29 towns. These are asking prices from two different publishers, not sold prices, so use them to compare, not to predict what you will pay. The resale tax also changes by region: Andalucía 7%, Valencia 9% from 1 June 2026 and Murcia 7.75%. This guide compares cost, tax, climate and access. For a town-by-town view of lifestyle, read our guide to the best areas and the Murcia guide. It is general information, not financial advice.
Where are the three coasts?
- Costa del Sol: the Málaga province in Andalucía, from Torremolinos and Marbella to Estepona and Manilva.
- Costa Blanca: the province of Alicante in the Valencia region, from Denia in the north to Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa in the south.
- Costa Cálida: the coast of Murcia, including the Mar Menor, La Manga and Cartagena.
How do prices compare?
A guide that cites Idealista data gives these asking prices per square metre for mid-2026 on the Costa del Sol, with the cost of an 80 m² home as an illustration.
| Costa del Sol town | Asking price per m² | Illustrative 80 m² home |
|---|---|---|
| Marbella | €5,815 | €465,200 |
| Estepona | €4,490 | €359,200 |
| Fuengirola | €4,400 | €352,000 |
| Benalmádena | €4,080 | €326,400 |
| Mijas | €3,760 | €300,800 |
The same guide notes that prime areas such as Marbella’s Golden Mile run well above €6,500 per m². For the other two coasts, a property publisher’s listings give medians of asking prices across towns:
| Costa Blanca | Costa Cálida | |
|---|---|---|
| Median asking price | €2,781 per m² (64 towns, to 1 July 2026) | €1,900 per m² (29 towns, to 1 June 2026) |
| Range for most towns | €1,251 to €3,628 | €1,157 to €2,632 |
| 80 m² at the median | €222,480 (≈ £187,800 / $249,200) | €152,000 (≈ £128,300 / $170,200) |
Conversions are approximate and use the European Central Bank reference rates of 14 October 2026 (€1 = £0.844 = $1.120). Rates move every day.
Neither set of figures is an official statistic, and the two sources use different methods, so the comparison between the Costa del Sol and the other two coasts is indicative. Prices also differ widely within each coast: a north Costa Blanca resort costs more than Torrevieja, and a home 1 to 3 km inland from the Mar Menor is cheaper than the frontline. The publisher’s model adds roughly 4% to 6% for a sea view and 2% to 3% for direct beach access, which are model inputs, not observed sale premiums.
How far below asking do homes sell?
Asking is not the price on the deed. Notary figures for the first quarter of 2026, cited for the Marbella–Estepona–Benahavís area, show villas closing a median of about 13.6% below the listing price and apartments about 11.1% below. They apply to one area, not to every coast. On an 80 m² Estepona apartment asked at €359,200, an 11.1% gap would mean about €319,329. Use these gaps to frame negotiation with your lawyer, not as a promise.
Does the purchase tax change by coast?
Yes. The resale tax (ITP) is set by each region. Using the 2026 rates in our ITP guide, a €250,000 resale home would pay:
| Region | ITP rate | Tax on €250,000 | Approx. in £ / $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andalucía (Costa del Sol) | 7% | €17,500 | ≈ £14,800 / $19,600 |
| Murcia (Costa Cálida) | 7.75% | €19,375 | ≈ £16,400 / $21,700 |
| Valencia region (Costa Blanca), from 1 June 2026 | 9% | €22,500 | ≈ £19,000 / $25,200 |
New homes pay VAT and stamp duty instead. Add the notary, registry and lawyer fees; our buying costs guide and the cost calculator show the total.
What about climate and airports?
| Costa del Sol | Costa Blanca | Costa Cálida | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate | Subtropical Mediterranean; winters rarely below 10°C, per one guide | Mediterranean, slightly cooler winters, especially in the north | No figures found; winds and bay shelter matter |
| Airport | Málaga, the busiest of the three | Alicante–Elche | Región de Murcia (Corvera); Alicante is also close to the south of the Costa Blanca |
| Character | Upscale and cosmopolitan, with Marbella and Puerto Banús | More relaxed and affordable, wide beaches | Mar Menor terraces and La Manga; often kinder to a budget |
| Typical value | A townhouse in La Duquesa around €300,000 in one example; hard to find under €200,000 in the Estepona–Manilva area | A two-bed townhouse in Orihuela Costa around €150,000; a small new villa in Los Montesinos from about €350,000 | Cheaper median asking price |
Visit in January and in August, because noise, wind, traffic and the number of open shops change with the season.
Which coast suits which buyer?
- Costa del Sol: if you want the strongest international market, upscale services and Málaga’s airport, and accept a higher price.
- Costa Blanca: if you want a balance of price, services and a large international community.
- Costa Cálida: if your budget is the first priority and you will visit the Mar Menor area in person before you buy.
What should you check before you decide?
- Compare sold prices through your lawyer, not only asking prices.
- Check the planning status of the property; see illegal builds in Spain.
- If you plan to let it, read the holiday rental rules for that region and town.
- Check the community fees and the running costs.
- Test your finances with a non-resident mortgage quote.
What are the common mistakes?
- Comparing asking prices from different publishers as if they were identical statistics.
- Ignoring the regional tax difference.
- Buying in July or August only.
- Assuming that a cheap price means a cheap total cost.
- Forgetting that many towns on every coast have different rules for tourist lets.
What does a side-by-side budget look like?
Take an 80 m² resale home at the median asking prices above. On the Costa Blanca that is €222,480, on the Costa Cálida €152,000. The tax on the first, at 9% in Valencia, is €20,023; on the second, at 7.75% in Murcia, €11,780. So the cheaper coast saves €70,480 on the price and about €8,243 on the tax before notary, registry and legal costs. On the Costa del Sol, an 80 m² home in Mijas at the asking price above costs €300,800, and the 7% Andalucía tax is €21,056. These are illustrations built on asking prices; your real cost depends on the town, the property and the negotiation.
What about rental demand?
The sources I found did not give comparable rental yields or occupancy for the three coasts, so I do not rank them on income. The Costa del Sol has the busiest international market and the highest prices, and the tourist-let rules and licences differ by region and by town. Test any plan with the yield calculator on our tools page, using your own nightly rate and occupancy rather than an advertised figure.
How should you plan a visit?
- Pick two towns on each coast you are considering, one on the front line and one a few kilometres inland.
- Go once in winter and once in summer, and notice noise, wind, parking and which shops stay open.
- Time the drive to the airport, the hospital and a large supermarket.
- Ask for the community fees and the property tax bill of each home you visit.
- Talk to an independent lawyer before you reserve anything.
What is the bottom line?
Decide your budget and your use of the home first, then compare towns rather than coasts, because the spread inside each coast is as large as the gap between them. Check the tax of the region, the planning status of the property and the licence rules for lets before you pay a deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Which Spanish coast is cheapest?
On the figures we found, the Costa Cálida in Murcia, with a median asking price of about €1,900 per m², against about €2,781 on the Costa Blanca and €3,760 to €5,815 in five Costa del Sol towns. These are asking prices from different sources.
Is the property tax the same on all three coasts?
No. The resale tax is set by each region: Andalucía 7%, Murcia 7.75% and Valencia 9% from 1 June 2026.
Which has the best airport?
Málaga is described as the busiest and best connected; Alicante–Elche serves the Costa Blanca and Región de Murcia serves the Costa Cálida.
Do homes sell below asking price?
Notary data for Q1 2026 in the Marbella–Estepona–Benahavís area show median gaps of about 13.6% for villas and 11.1% for apartments, but this is one area.
Which coast is best for holiday lets?
It depends on the town and the licence rules, not only the coast. Read our holiday rental guide before you buy.
Sources
Official sources (check these for the current rule):
Also cross-checked against published guides, because practice varies between notaries, registries and banks:
- Waypoint Sur: how to value a Costa del Sol property
- Sunny Casas: seafront homes on the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida
- A Place in the Sun: Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change, and your situation may differ. Confirm the figures with the tax authority and a qualified lawyer or tax adviser before you commit.
