October brings a new record: rent prices in Malaga province reach €18.8 per square metre a month, 6.8% more than in October 2025, according to idealista's latest price report. The provincial rise outpaces both the Spanish average (5.6%) and the Andalusian one (6.3%), and Málaga remains the third most expensive province to rent in, behind only Madrid and the Balearic Islands.
The key nuance is in the short term: over the last quarter the province has edged up just 0.2%, and only 0.1% in the last month. After a first half of rapid rises, the residential rental market on the Málaga coast is entering a plateau at record levels.
How much does it cost to rent in each Costa del Sol town?
The table combines idealista's average rent for October 2026 with the average asking sale price per square metre of the homes in our catalogue in each town. With both figures we calculate the monthly cost of an 80 m² flat and the approximate gross yield a buyer would get by letting it on a long-term basis.
| Town | Rent Oct 2026 (€/m² per month) | Annual change | 80 m² flat (€ per month) | EVS sale price (€/m²) | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marbella | 23.5 | +9.1% | 1,880 | 6,049 | 4.7% |
| Ojén | 23.0 | +4.7% | 1,840 | 4,338 | 6.4% |
| Benahavís | 21.3 | -1.8% | 1,704 | 5,635 | 4.5% |
| Estepona | 20.8 | +8.2% | 1,664 | 4,803 | 5.2% |
| Torremolinos | 18.2 | +4.0% | 1,456 | 4,468 | 4.9% |
| Fuengirola | 17.5 | +5.8% | 1,400 | 5,330 | 3.9% |
| Benalmádena | 17.4 | +5.7% | 1,392 | 4,569 | 4.6% |
| Mijas | 16.9 | +8.1% | 1,352 | 4,316 | 4.7% |
| Málaga city | 16.7 | +5.4% | 1,336 | 4,977 | 4.0% |
| Manilva | 13.8 | +2.2% | 1,104 | 3,398 | 4.9% |
| Málaga province | 18.8 | +6.8% | 1,504 | 4,744 | 4.8% |
Sources: rent, idealista (October 2026). Sale price: median asking price per square metre in the EVS Property catalogue as of 3 November 2026; for the provincial row, the Costa del Sol as a whole. Gross yield is annual rent divided by the purchase price, before taxes, community fees, IBI, insurance and void periods.
Where are rents rising fastest on the Costa del Sol?
The western coast is driving the market. Marbella, at €23.5/m², is the most expensive town in the province and also one of the fastest risers over the year, at 9.1%. Close behind are Estepona (+8.2%) and Mijas (+8.1%), two destinations where demand from foreign residents and remote workers has grown strongly.
At the other end, Benahavís is the only major coastal town where rent is falling (-1.8%), and Manilva is up just 2.2%. In the provincial capital, rent reaches €16.7/m² and a new all-time high, although its pace (+5.4%) is now below the provincial average.
Why has the market slowed in recent months?
Several towns are already below their summer peak: Marbella reached €23.9/m² in July and Estepona €21.1/m² in September. With rents absorbing a very large share of local wages, there is less room to keep rising at the same pace. On top of that comes the new legal framework: the October decree caps the annual update of existing contracts at 2% until the end of 2027, pending its validation in Congress on 12 November.
It is worth remembering that idealista's index measures the asking prices of new listings. Since July 2026 it excludes seasonal and holiday lets, so it reflects the primary-residence market. Tenants with a contract already in force do not see their rent rise in line with the index.
What yield does buying to let on the Costa del Sol offer today?
With rents at record highs and purchase prices also high, the gross yield on long-term lets along the coast ranges between 4% and 5% in most towns, below the 6.2% that idealista calculates for Spain as a whole. The entry price matters most: where buying is relatively cheap compared with the rent you can charge, the numbers improve.
- Ojén and Estepona stand out, at 6.4% and 5.2% gross: high rents for a moderate purchase price.
- Torremolinos and Manilva are around 4.9%, with lower entry tickets than the rest of the coast.
- Fuengirola and the capital sit around 4%: purchase prices have risen faster than rents.
- In Marbella the gross yield is around 4.7%; the appeal lies more in capital growth and liquidity than in rental income.
These are indicative, gross figures. Net yield is usually one or two points lower once costs and taxes are deducted, and for a specific property it depends on the floor, views, condition and community. To compare with sale prices updated every month, see our Costa del Sol market report.
What it means for tenants, landlords and buyers
For those looking for a rental, the autumn plateau gives some room to negotiate, especially on listings that have been online for weeks. For landlords, the 2% cap on existing contracts makes setting the starting rent correctly more important. And for buy-to-let investors, the key is choosing the town and the product with the numbers in hand, not by the headline trend.
At EVS Property we help you calculate a property's real yield before you buy, using rental and sale data for each area. Get in touch and we will prepare a comparison tailored to you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rent a flat in Málaga in 2026?
In October 2026 the average rent in the city is €16.7/m² a month, so an 80 m² flat costs around €1,340 a month. Across the province as a whole the average rises to €18.8/m², about €1,500 for 80 m².
Which is the most expensive town to rent in on the Costa del Sol?
Marbella, at €23.5/m² a month in October 2026, followed by Ojén (€23.0/m²) and Benahavís (€21.3/m²).
Can my landlord raise my rent by more than 2%?
Under Royal Decree-law 29/2026, until 31 December 2027 the annual update of an existing residential tenancy cannot exceed 2% unless the parties agree otherwise. The decree has been in force since 8 October and its validation vote is on 12 November.
Is buying to let on the Costa del Sol profitable?
The gross yield on long-term lets is around 4-5% in most towns and exceeds 5% in areas such as Estepona or Ojén. Before buying, it is worth calculating the net yield using the property's actual costs.
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
