Pressure on the rental market on the Costa del Sol is high, but far from what the areas around Madrid and Barcelona are facing: in idealista/data's relative demand ranking for the third quarter of 2026, the first town in the province is the capital, in 53rd place, while Marbella comes in at 147th. In between, more affordable towns such as Manilva and Torre del Mar rank ahead of the coast's big-name destinations.
What does idealista's rental demand ranking measure?
The indicator compares the interest of people looking for a home with the rental supply available in each town. It does not tell you where renting is most expensive, but where more people are competing for each advertised property. That is why a city with plenty of listings can rank low even if its rents are among the highest in the country.
The study only publishes positions, not the value of the indicator for each town. It is useful for comparing markets with one another, not for knowing how many enquiries a specific listing will receive.
Where is rental demand highest in Spain?
The top places go almost entirely to commuter towns around the two big metropolitan areas. Terrassa leads the list, followed by Leganés and Móstoles; Getafe, Alcalá de Henares, Sabadell and Alcorcón are also in the top 10, where Guadalajara and Vitoria-Gasteiz are the only provincial capitals.
The big cities rank further down: Barcelona is 17th and Madrid 39th. People who cannot find or afford a flat in the city look for one in well-connected towns nearby, where supply is tighter and each listing draws more competition.
Where does the Costa del Sol stand in the rental demand ranking?
The province of Malaga places 11 towns in the ranking. These are the ones idealista names, together with the average October rent and the gross yield we calculate from the sale prices in our catalogue:
| Town | Ranking position (Q3 2026) | Rent Oct 2026 (€/m² per month) | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaga | 53 | 16.7 | 4.0% |
| Torre del Mar | 58 | — | — |
| Manilva | 59 | 13.8 | 4.9% |
| Torremolinos | 73 | 18.2 | 4.9% |
| Fuengirola | 77 | 17.5 | 3.9% |
| Benalmádena | 78 | 17.4 | 4.6% |
| Rincón de la Victoria | 99 | — | — |
| Estepona | 136 | 20.8 | 5.2% |
| Marbella | 147 | 23.5 | 4.7% |
Sources: idealista/data relative rental demand ranking (third quarter of 2026) and idealista rental prices (October 2026). The gross yield is an EVS Property calculation based on the median asking price per square metre in our catalogue as of 3 November 2026. A dash means no comparable data is available.
Why do Manilva and Torre del Mar rank ahead of Marbella?
Manilva is the cheapest town in the table to rent in, at 13.8 euros per square metre per month compared with 23.5 in Marbella. Affordable rents attract workers and families from across the western coast, and with limited long-term supply each listing faces more competition.
Torre del Mar, in Vélez-Málaga, plays a similar role in the Axarquía: a coastal town with life all year round, about 30 kilometres from the capital. Marbella and Estepona, by contrast, have a much larger rental stock and high rents that filter demand, which is why they rank 147th and 136th.
In the metropolitan area, the capital ranks ahead of Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Benalmádena, which sit between 73rd and 78th, while Rincón de la Victoria comes in at 99th. Demand spreads out on both sides of the city, along the coast served by the commuter train to the west and the motorway to the east.
What does it mean for buy-to-let investors on the Costa del Sol?
High demand relative to supply cuts the time a property stands empty and lets the owner choose the tenant. The table also shows that pressure and yield do not always go hand in hand:
- Manilva and Torremolinos combine a strong ranking position with a gross yield of around 4.9% and purchase prices below the coastal average.
- The capital has the highest relative demand in the province, but purchase prices have risen so much that the gross yield is around 4%.
- Estepona offers the highest yield on the list, 5.2%, with more moderate relative demand.
- In Marbella the appeal lies more in capital growth and liquidity than in pressure on long-term rentals.
These are gross, indicative figures: the net yield is usually one or two points lower after taxes, community fees, IBI and insurance. To compare sale prices updated every month, see our Costa del Sol market report.
The new legal framework also matters: the October decree caps the annual update of existing contracts at 2%, and its ratification is scheduled for 12 November.
In short
The Costa del Sol is not among Spain's most stretched rental markets, but within the province the differences are clear: the capital and the more affordable towns draw more demand per listing than the luxury destinations. If you are thinking of buying to let on the Málaga coast, EVS Property can help you compare areas, prices and yields.
FAQ
Which city has the highest rental demand in Spain?
Terrassa, in the province of Barcelona, according to idealista/data's ranking for the third quarter of 2026. It is followed by Leganés and Móstoles, both in the Madrid region.
Where does Málaga rank for rental demand?
Málaga city is 53rd, the highest position in the province. Madrid city is 39th and Barcelona 17th.
Where is rental demand highest on the Costa del Sol?
After the capital, in Torre del Mar (58th) and Manilva (59th). Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Benalmádena follow between 73rd and 78th, while Estepona and Marbella are 136th and 147th.
Does higher rental demand mean a higher yield?
Not necessarily. Demand reduces the risk of vacancy, but the yield depends above all on the purchase price: around 4% gross in Málaga city and 5.2% in Estepona.
What next? The most useful thing after reading is to look at the real market: browse properties by city or tell us on WhatsApp what you are looking for — area, budget, timing — and we will prepare a tailored selection, with no obligation.
You may also find useful: sell your property invest on the Costa del Sol free valuation monthly price report
